Event chairwoman Velma Del Rosario of the Community Guidance Center said the 17 refrained from smoking for the whole morning.
“Some of them came in as early as 5 a.m. and about 60 of the smokers joined the Turkey Walk around the oval,” Del Rosario said.
The Great Marianas Smokeout started at 8:30 a.m. and ended at noon.
“We are happy to see them turning over their cigarettes, even those cigarettes used for chewing, and to see them walking and drinking water for the whole morning,” Del Rosario said.
She said the participants registered and were given information about the negative effects of smoking and chewing.
“We had a good turnout this year and we are encouraging others to join us in the Smokeout next year, and to finally bid goodbye to tobacco and smoking,” Del Rosario said.
The event was part of the Great American Smokeout which takes place every Nov. 17. It provides smokers an opportunity to join millions of other smokers to say no to cigarettes for 24 hours.
It went nationwide in 1977 under the sponsorship of the American Cancer Society. All across the nation, various fun and entertaining activities are held to encourage smokers to stop smoking on that day.
Last year, the Great Marianas Smokeout was held at the Subway Chalan Piao branch where smokers traded their pack of cigarettes for a sandwich.
Del Rosario said there were more participants this year.
About 300 individuals participated in the three major events on Saturday which also included the 11th annual Don’t Be A Turkey Walk, and the Diabetes Awareness Month celebration.
Del Rosario said the three events had a common goal — to promote a healthy lifestyle in the commonwealth.
For more information about the Community Guidance Center or for assistance on how to quit smoking, call the CNMI Tobacco Quit Line at 323-QUIT (7848).
