It’s a common sight on campus — students and faculty members standing outside of buildings smoking a cigarette. Even with all the efforts to reduce the number of people who smoke, an estimated 46.2 million people in the United States and 638,000 in Iowa still smoke on a regular basis.

Every year, the American Cancer Society attempts to reduce this number by holding the Great American Smokeout, a day to encourage smokers to quit and to raise awareness of the risks associated with tobacco use. This year’s Smokeout will be held Thursday.

This nationally observed day is an opportunity for smokers to give up the habit and live a healthier lifestyle, said Kerry Finnegan, spokesperson for the American Cancer Society.

“The Great American Smokeout has been an annual event for the past 24 years, and many individuals from the state of Iowa and across the country use this day to quit,” she said.

According to the American Cancer Society’s national survey, 8.3 million smokers participated in last year’s Smokeout by smoking less or not at all for the day. And 2.3 million people gave up the habit completely.

This year, the society estimates that 115,000 Iowans will partake in the Smokeout.

Some people are currently trying to kick the habit, while others continue to light up with no plans to quit.

Cory Vande Kieft, junior in fine arts, has smoked on and off for the last several years. Like many people, he started smoking socially.

“I started out small — only smoked with friends that did, and it grew from there,” he said.

Although he has quit in the past, stress is usually the factor that makes him start again. Now, however, he plans to quit for good.

“I’m quitting for three reasons: health, family and money.”

Vande Kieft, who plans on not smoking on Nov. 18, said the hardest thing about quitting has been filling the time when he usually smokes with something else.

“It’s hard because when I was normally smoking I didn’t know what to do. I definitely eat more now.”

He said the Great American Smokeout might encourage other people to quit because of the support they could get.

Bret Elsberry, a 2003 ISU graduate, started the habit when he was 17 and has no intention of quitting any time soon.

“The way I look at it, everything else you do is bad for you — the air you breathe, the food you eat, so this is my choice.”

Even though he is very adamant about his choice to smoke, he said he remains considerate of other people.

“If I’m around someone that doesn’t like it, I’ll respect that person’s wish. Out to eat, I don’t smoke,” he said.

Elsberry does not plan on stopping for the Smokeout because when he quits, he says, it will be because he is ready, and that’s not now.

Elsberry said the Great American Smokeout is probably not going to be very effective because the only way for people to quit smoking is by themselves.

Along with national events taking place for the Great American Smokeout, many activities are taking place throughout Iowa.

Many restaurants are offering people a free “cold turkey” sandwich for bringing in their pack of cigarettes, Finnegan said.