Great American Smokeout is Nov. 19 — Ready to quit smoking? Get free support and give it a try!

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 11/10/2026 08:42 AM AKST

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Great American Smokeout is Nov. 19

NOVEMBER 10, 2026 — Ready to quit tobacco or nicotine? The Great American Smokeout is a great time to give it a try!

Join people across the country and quit tobacco for the day on Thursday, Nov. 19, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. It’s just one day, but it could be your day one of quitting for good.

Quitting tobacco can be hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Help is available from Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line. This free resource has helped thousands of Alaskans quit all types of tobacco and e-cigarettes. The Quit Line can help you quit smoking, vaping, chewing, or using pouches or iqmik. It is confidential and available 24/7. It offers quit coaching and customized quit plans. The Quit Line also provides nicotine replacement therapy like patches, lozenges, and gum to help you get through cravings.

Alaska's TOBACCO QUIT LINE (1-800-QUIT-NOW) Derrick of Anchorage Social Post: "The biggest tip for me is to reach out to somebody for help."

Derrick, from Anchorage, used Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line to quit vaping. He tried quitting before, but it didn’t stick.

“I called the Quit Line again because I knew that I needed to quit, and I knew that I needed help.”

This time, he tried something different. He chose free nicotine replacement therapy patches. The patches had a longer lasting effect that helped him get through cravings as they eased his body off nicotine. That's what worked for Derrick to quit vaping.

“They didn’t turn me away,” said Derrick, who shared his Quit Line experience in a video. “The second time after I relapsed, I came back. They took me back in with open arms and we made it happen this time.”

Many people have slip-ups when they quit tobacco. That’s normal. It can take a few tries before it sticks. The Quit Line can help whether it’s your first try or you’re ready to try again. You are more likely to quit for good when you make a quit plan and have support from coaches, those around you, and therapies and medications that make it easier to quit.

Feel the benefits now and in the future

Quitting tobacco and nicotine products is one of the best things you can do for your health. Take smoking as one example. No matter how long you’ve smoked, there are immediate health benefits when you quit. Within 20 minutes of finishing your last cigarette, your heart rate returns to normal and your blood pressure drops. In a few days, your body is free of nicotine, and your sense of smell and taste improves. You’re also protecting those around you from secondhand smoke.

Alaska's TOBACCO QUIT LINE (1-800-QUIT-NOW) Social Post: Qui Tip - Celebrate! Image of a young elementary age boy giving his dad a double high five.

Over time, quitting tobacco offers a range of benefits including lowering your risk for cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung disease. If you’re ready to quit, here are some tips to help you plan for the Great American Smokeout, or whatever day you choose to stop:

  • Set a quit date – It will make you more likely to follow through.
  • Write down your reasons for quitting tobacco. Are you quitting for your health? For your loved ones? To save money? Knowing your “why” will help you stay motivated, especially in difficult moments.
  • Remove tobacco products from your home, car, and workplace.
  • Plan for getting through cravings. The free Quit Line can help with that.
  • Ask friends or family for support.
  • Quit on your quit day.
  • Celebrate.

Call, text, or go online to enroll

Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line is ready to help when you’re ready to quit. The Quit Line is available any time of day, anywhere in Alaska. You can enroll over phone, text, or online.

Enroll in any of these ways:

The Great American Smokeout on Nov. 19 is just one day, but it could be your day one to quit tobacco for good. When you’re ready to quit, Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line is ready to help. It’s free. It’s confidential. And it works.

 

 

Learn more about the Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and our work to help Alaskans quit tobacco.

 

 

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