The American Cancer Society is calling attention to tobacco addiction with its Great American Smokeout.

According to a health advocacy group, smoking kills 7,000 people each year in New York City.

The American Cancer Society says tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. The organization says 30 percent of cancers could be avoided if people put down the smokes.

The point of the smokeout is to help tobacco lovers kick their habit or make a plan to do so.

There are a number of smoking cessation programs at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center, Kings County Hospital, New York Methodist Hospital and the Brooklyn Hospital Center, to name a few.

There is also a New York State "quitline" you can call, and a website you can visit to receive coaching, free nicotine patches and other support tools.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says smokers should first pick a quit date and stick to it. Next, they should find a fellow smoker to toss the tobacco with them and offer support.

Addicts should also figure out their smoking triggers, such as alcohol, coffee or stress. You can try using smoking aids like nicotine patches or gum to reduce cravings.

The longer you go without smoking, the less cravings will happen.