Nov. 12th: KSLA News 12 Great American Smokeout Editorial - KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather & Sports

This week is the Great American Smokeout. It's that one day of the year where smokers are actively encouraged to quit.

There are a lot of reasons to put down those cigarettes.

Twelve hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. One year after quitting, your risk of heart disease is cut in half, five years after quitting risk of lung and throat cancer are cut in half.

And you may have noticed it's a lot harder to be a smoker these days, smoking is not allowed in most public and private buildings or restaurants. Office workers often have to stand outside in the cold, heat or rain to take that smoke break.

November 15th is the Great American Smokeout.

Good luck. I'm James Smith.