WEDNESDAY, Nov. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Organizers hope that millions of U.S. smokers will try kicking the habit for at least a day to mark the American Cancer Society's 29th annual Great American Smokeout on Thursday.

"Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In the United States, tobacco use is responsible for nearly one in five deaths," Dr. Stephen F. Sener, president of the American Cancer Society, said in a prepared statement. Smoking will cause 30 percent of the estimated 570,280 cancer deaths expected to occur in the United States in 2005. Each year, another 3,000 otherwise healthy nonsmokers will fall victim to lung cancer brought on by exposure to secondhand smoke. "We know that it is difficult to quit smoking. That is why we urge you to quit smoking today and get the help you need to quite smoking for life. And, we at the American Cancer Society can get you the help you need to join the 46 million Americans who are former smokers. Our telephone cessation service, Quitline (1-877-YES-QUIT), can double your chances of quitting for good," Sener said. The Quitline is available all year around and support and information about quitting smoking are also available on the Society's Web site. As part of this year's Smokeout campaign, the American Cancer Society is also encouraging communities to support smoke-free policies to protect people from secondhand smoke.

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