DAVENPORT, Iowa-- Every third Thursday of November, the Great American Smokeout strives to bring awareness to the long term affects that cigarette smoke has on the body.
People walking in and out of Genesis West in Davenport will also notice staff members giving free pulmonary function screenings and information on smoking cessation at the North entrance by the Emergency Room.
Cancer Nurse Negotiator, Wendy Ballou says although nicotine awareness has made huge strides in the country, with hundreds of public places banning smoking, new advances like electronic cigarettes are still not a permanent solution for long-time smokers.
"It's still emitting a vapor and it still isn't proven to be without risk... It still has the nicotine in it which is very addictive and can lead people in starting smoking cigarettes," says Ballou.
The Great American Smokeout informational session was from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, November 17.