Buckhannon is encouraging residents who use tobacco or nicotine to join the Great American Smokeout on November 19, with one council member drawing on his family’s experience to urge people to try quitting.
Mayor Robbie Skinner recognized the American Cancer Society’s annual event with a proclamation at the November 5 city council meeting. He introduced Amanda Hayes of the Upshur County Tobacco Prevention Coalition for the proclamation.
According to the proclamation, the Smokeout takes place the third Thursday of November each year. It challenges smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours as a step toward reducing tobacco use or quitting entirely.
The city’s recognition also encourages participation by people who vape, chew tobacco or use dip. The event helps residents show themselves — and their children — that they can quit.
Council member Shawn Young later spoke about the effect tobacco use had on his family. He said three of his four grandparents had tobacco-related cancer.
Young said his parents began using tobacco as teenagers (or younger) and quit decades later after seeing loved ones suffer. He urged residents to use November 19 as an opportunity to try, even if quitting had not worked for them before.
“Give it a try. It might not take the first time. It might take 10 times, but I think it’s worth trying just from things I’ve seen,” Young said.
Young also noted that November is hospice month and urged residents to make a plan for their own care and let their loved ones know what it is.
“I guess my theme is trying to have a plan,” Young said.
The proclamation’s full text follows.
Great American Smokeout proclamation
The American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November each year, challenging smokers to give up cigarettes for 24 hours as an effort toward reducing or quitting entirely. If you or a loved one smokes cigarettes, consider joining the movement, and take the first step toward quitting cigarettes forever!
E-cigarette use, or vaping, among adults and youth is an epidemic in West Virginia. Vaping use rates among teens in West Virginia are the highest in the nation. More than 1 in 3 (35.7%) West Virginia high school students report current use of e-cigarettes. This is a 150% increase from 2017 to 2019 alone. The high school tobacco use rate is 40.6%.
Studies show that second and third-hand smoke also poses health risks. Secondhand smoke can increase lung cancer by 20 – 30%. Smoke from the end of a cigarette has a higher concentration of the cancer-causing chemicals than the smoke exhaled by a smoker. The US EPA says secondhand smoke is among the most dangerous substances known to cause cancer. Thirdhand smoke refers to the toxins from cigarette smoke that stick to soft surfaces. Thirdhand smoke not only affects adults but also babies, children, and even pets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the City of Buckhannon hereby recognizes and supports the American Cancer Society’s GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT on November 19, 2026, in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and encourages all citizens who smoke, use chew or dip tobacco, vape, or any other devices to ingest nicotine to demonstrate to themselves and to their children that they can quit by joining the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout.
Robert N. Skinner, III, Mayor, City of Buckhannon
Community Bulletin
Women's health care is available close to home at four central West Virginia clinics through Vandalia Health — the not-for-profit founded by the Davis family more than a century ago, whose Foundation still funds local scholarships and programs. Read more →
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