Buttons with big white letters that read, “I quit for the Great American Smokeout” will be at some local restaurants to support a day of smoke-free dining.

Today, the American Cancer Society is asking smokers to give up their cigarettes for its 25th anniversary of the Great American Smokeout.

“We would like to see smokers to go smoke-free to protect their community against the harmful effects of secondhand smoke,” said Kim Hoffman, community development director for the American Cancer Society’s Great Lakes Division, 1755 Abbey Road.

More than 3,000 people will die from secondhand smoke this year, she said. Nationwide about 48 million adults smoke and half will die prematurely.

“I hope that nonsmokers speak out about clean indoor air, and let restaurants know they are concerned about secondhand smoke,” Hoffman said.

She said she is very pleased with the hundreds of participating restaurants across the state.

Employees at Pistachio’s Italian Seafood Grill, 2827 E. Grand River Ave. will be wearing smokeout T-shirts as they celebrate the event.

“For one day people should be able to give up anything,” said Karen Marshall, general manager. “We thought we would promote healthy living for one day.”

Marshall said the restaurant is supporting the event even though it may cost them some business. The society provided the restaurant with balloons, chewing gum and buttons to hand out.

“We are hoping that people who don’t smoke and believe in the cause will come out and eat in our restaurant,” she said.

Interdisciplinary social sciences senior Stephen Parpart said the event is a good idea because it discourages smoking. He said he may go out to eat tomorrow in support of the society.

“I hate going to a restaurant and eating when there are people smoking,” he said. “It ruins my appetite.”

Family child ecology senior Stephanie Slomski is a smoker, but said she will not smoke today.

“I think the smokeout is a good, positive influence against smoking,” she said. “I don’t smoke in restaurants because I think it’s rude.”

Other local restaurants providing a smoke-free dining experience today are Mountain Jacks, 5800 W. Saginaw Hwy. in Lansing; Clara’s Lansing Station, 637 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing; and Texas Roadhouse, 208 E. Edgewood Blvd. in Lansing.