The American Cancer Society says more than 46-hundred Iowans will have died from tobacco-related diseases by the end of the year. Kerry Finnegan, spokeswoman for the Des Moines chapter, says today’s 27th annual Great American Smokeout aims to get smokers to quit and to keep nonsmokers from starting.In cities like Cedar Falls, volunteers will be handing smokers gift bags today, containing literature about how to quit and little packets of candy or gum to help stave off the cravings. Finnegan says chapters across Iowa are making an effort today to help smokers kick the dirty, expensive, deadly habit.Finnegan says smokers who quit by age 35 can avoid 90-percent of the risk from tobacco. She says those who can quit just for today may be able to do so permanently. Finnegan encourages nonsmokers to urge their smoking friends and loved ones to take the challenge today.For more information, call 800 ACS-2345 or surf to “www.cancer.org”.
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