Smokeout 2006 encourages non-smokers to get involved Published Nov. 16, 2006 By Senior Airman Jessica Switzer 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- People who want to quit smoking for this year's Great American Smokeout will have a partner through the Adopt-A-Smoker program here. The program encourages a non-smoker to "adopt" a smoker Nov. 16 to encourage them to quit smoking for one day. The non-smoker will give up something they are "addicted" to in a show of support. This allows both wingmen to support each other in their resolve to quit for a day. "I thought it was a quality idea to have one person supporting another person to quit something for the day," said Amy Patsch, Peterson Health and Wellness Center Health Education Program manager. "It supports the idea of protecting and supporting your wingman." Suggestions from the American Cancer Society inspired the HAWC team to use the Adopt-A-Smoker program to encourage participation in the Great American Smokeout. "The event is supposed to show tobacco users they can quit for one day and survive," Mrs. Patsch said. "I'll follow up with those who quit for the day and see if they want to get more information about quitting for long-term. The ultimate goal of the program is to have more tobacco users on base quit long term." The HAWC is handing out goodie bags to the Smokeout teams to help them achieve their goal for the day. The bags for smokers have sunflower seeds, a toothbrush, floss, toothpicks, suckers and several brochures. The non-smoker partners get a similar bag with suckers and brochures. "People can sign up for the program even on the day of the event," Mrs. Patsch said. "On Nov. 16 they can go to the fitness center entrance to sign up. When they sign up, both the smoker and non smoker get a goodie bag to help them throughout the day." The Great American Smokeout, in its 29th year of national recognition, grew out of a 1971 event in Randolph, Mass. Arthur P. Mullaney asked people to give up cigarettes for one day and donate the money they would have spent on them to a high school scholarship fund, according to the ACS Web page. Three years later the editor of the Monticello Times in Minnesota created the state's first "Don't Smoke Day" or D-Day. From there the idea spread. On Nov. 18, 1976, the California Division of the ACS got nearly one million smokers to quit for one day. The next year the Great American Smokeout went national. All 50 states have created smoke-free air provisions that restrict smoking in certain areas since the inception of the Great American Smokeout, according to the ACS Web page. This year Colorado enacted a law prohibiting smoking in all restaurants and bars. People who miss the smokeout or are still interested in quitting their tobacco use can call Mrs. Patsch at 556-6674 or stop by the HAWC for useful information.