Six Resources for Great American Smokeout

November marks the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, a national event encouraging smokers to make a plan to quit or plan in advance to quit smoking that day.

According to Cancer.org, even quitting for one day will help smokers take an important step towards a healthier life, one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

"Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — a bit under 1 in every 5 adults," the website said. "As of 2012, there were also 13.4 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes and other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco."

Education World has curated a list of six resources teachers can use when bringing awareness of the Great American Smokeout in their classrooms. Teachers can use these lesson plans, websites, and books to teach their students about the risks of smoking and how to deal with pressure from other students.

1. Mind Over Matter: Tobacco Addiction: In this lesson plan provided by DrugAbuse.gov, students can read background information of the risks of smoking tobacco, play a Smoking Cause and Effect Game, and take a quiz on Tobacco Addiction. 
2. Jimmie Boogie Learns About Smoking by Tim Brenneman: In this book, Amazon says " educates children about the prevention of tobacco usage. Children easily identify with the characters in this true to life, captivating story. Children learn about addiction and the consequences of smoking cigarettes."
3. Quit4Life: In this handbook, teens can have access to facts, techniques, and methods to say "no" or quit smoking. 
4. Smoking Stinks!! by Kim Gosselin: In Smoking Stinks!!, Amazon says, "Maddie and Alex prepare for their school health report about smoking, and learn from Maddie's grandfather why he started smoking and why he hasn't quit. The story stresses the importance of never using tobacco products and the dangers of passive smoke, particularly to children with asthma and allergies."
5. Smoking: In this lesson plan for grades 9-12 provided by DiscoveryEducation, students will be able to do the following: 

• Understand some of the physical dangers of smoking
• Understand that various factors influence their decision making
• Understand the different advertising strategies that tobacco companies use
• Discuss personal responsibilities regarding smoking

6. Kick Butts!: A Kid's Action Guide to a Tobacco-Free America by Arlene B. Hirschfelder: In this book, Amazon says this book will stand as an "inspiring action guide featuring a variety of young people who have successfully taken action against tobacco. They have been doing it since the beginning of this century, and their efforts have influenced research, anti-smoking campaigns, and legislation."

Article by Kassondra Granata, Education World Contributor