Maui Participates in Great American Smoke Out

By Wendy Osher

Smoke. File photo by Wendy Osher.

The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Maui will host a Great American Smokeout event at the Maui Mall this weekend.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 19, and features food, entertainment, and family fun.

The event is just one of the many being held across the nation this month to celebrate the 36th annual event created by the American Cancer Society to encourage smokers to quit.

While the Maui event is on Saturday, the nationally recognized day for the Great American Smokeout is today, November 17, 2011.

For those who want help in quitting, there is a free and confidential service offered through the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline.  Callers can receive free coaching, free nicotine patches or gum, and advice on how to quit.

The Hawaii Tobacco Quitline can be accessed by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or 1-800-784-8669 and is open seven days a week.  Quit Coaches are available Monday through Sunday from 3 a.m. to 9 p.m.