Decisions made today can affect tomorrow.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is hoping South Carolina residents make the right choice in deciding to ditch tobacco products.

Giving users the opportunity to "quit for keeps," the state health agency will begin its annual Great American Smokeout campaign Nov. 20.

Commemorated since 1977, the campaign issues a challenge to tobacco users to put a stop to their dangerous behavior, which can eventually lead to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and other ailments.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is the greatest preventable cause of death and disability. It is listed as a known or probable cause of at least 25 diseases.

Each year, tobacco products are believed to cause nearly 20 percent of deaths in America. Not thought of as a short-term health concern, years of abuse begin to wear down the body.

"Scientists have discovered that every 'puff' that comes from a cigarette contains more than 4,000 different chemicals; namely ammonia, lead, benzene, arsenic, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide," according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Concern's web site. "More than 45 of these chemicals are known to increase the risk of cancer and hundreds of the other ones are both lethal and toxic."

Approximately 47 million adults in the United States smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accounting for more than 23 percent of the country's population. The percentage of people currently using tobacco products in the Palmetto State is believed to be in the range of 25 percent, significantly higher than the national average.

However, there is a belief that many of them want to curb their dangerous addiction.

"According to research done by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 percent of adult smokers want to quit," said DHEC Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control tobacco cessation consultant Katy Wynne.

Hoping to assist and persuade residents of the Palmetto State to put down their cigars and cigarettes, DHEC provides a wealth of services including its South Carolina Tobacco Quitline.

"DHEC encourages South Carolinians who smoke to take advantage of the services our agency offers to help them stop tobacco use," Wynne said. "The S.C. Tobacco Quitline is a free phonebased counseling service available to all state residents. Callers are assigned to a personal Quit Coach, who offers support and helps them formulate a plan to make their quit attempt successful."

The Quitline is available from 8 a.m. to midnight seven days a week by calling 1-800- QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

1-800-QUIT-NOW

The Quitline is available from 8 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

Callers are assigned to a personal Quit Coach, who offers support and helps them formulate a plan to make their quit attempt successful.