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The Great American Smokeout, hosted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) is taking place this Thursday, November 20. The event, held annually on the third Thursday in November, encourages those who smoke to commit to not smoking for the day, or to quit altogether.

While cigarette smoking rates have fallen over the decades, smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The ACS estimates that smoking and exposure to second‑hand smoke cause over 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S., and smoking alone increases the risk of at least twelve types of cancer.

The ACS says that quitting tobacco benefits your health immediately, regardless of your age or how long you’ve been smoking. Accessing support through counseling, medications, or quit‑programs can double or even triple the chances of success.

For anyone looking to quit, the ACS offers resources and tools for free, including its “Empowered to Quit” program and a 24/7 helpline at 1‑800‑227‑2345.