Today is the day local and national health officials try to encourage people to quit smoking.
It's the annual "Great American Smokeout," and Washtenaw County public health officials are hoping smokers listen to advice and quit,make a plan to quit,or reach out for support to quit.
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in Michigan, killing more than 16,200 residents each year.
Washtenaw County's public health communications manager Susan Cerniglia says it may take multiple attempts to quit smoking before it is successful.
"And if it isn't successful the first time, the other thing we like to remind folks is don't quit quitting, because it is hard."
Health officials say quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health. For support or information, call the Michigan tobacco quitline, 1-800-Quit-Now.
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu