The American Cancer Society is sponsoring the Great American Smokeout on Thursday in an effort to promote smokers to pledge to quit.

An estimated 47 million U.S. adults smoke, although it is the most preventable cause of death.

The society promotes several programs to help smokers quit:

• A toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345, that provides assistance to smokers in finding local programs

• A Web site, www.cancer.org, that offers information on the risks of smoking, steps to quitting and new national smoking legislation

• A volunteer-based advocacy group that promotes smoking termination programs to elected officials and other issues related to the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society also asks local businesses to participate in the event by providing information packets to owners and managers.

For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Stephanie Korneffel