It happens every third Thursday in November, and this year marks its 31st anniversary.

The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, November 15, helps participating tobacco-users quit using tobacco products for at least 24 hours as many tobacco users find that, according to the American Cancer Society, when they quit tobacco for 24 hours, they can quit for life.

This event is not a token day by any means.

Events such as the Great American Smokeout, tobacco-free policies, higher tobacco taxes and new medications have helped many Americans quit tobacco over the last 30 years:

-There are now more former adult American smokers (46.5 million) than current adult American smokers (45.1 million).

-Overall cancer death rates for men decreased between 1991 and 2003. 40 percent of that decrease is because fewer men are smoking.

For people who want to use this day as their first being smoke free, try some of these tips:

-Get all tobacco, ashtrays, lighters and matches out of the house and car

-Make sure you have plenty of water, juice, gum and crunchy snacks

-Find someone close to support you

-Most importantly, remember that the urge to smoke will pass in one to three minutes, whether or not you smoke

There is still much to be done, however.

Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women and more than 80 percent of lung cancers are related to smoking.

In the U.S., tobacco use is responsible for nearly one in five deaths, or approximately 435,000 lives, a year.

Quitting support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the American Cancer Society’s Quitline, which is a clinically proven, free telephone-based counseling program.

Phone 800-227-2345 or click on the Web site below for a personalized quitting plan.