Kent State will host its annual Great American Smokeout for the third year in a row on Thursday, .

This 24-hour event is a national event sponsored by the American Cancer Association that began in the ’70s to increase smoking cessation.

Along with encouraging smokers to quit, the Smokeout provides information and support for those trying to quit.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., educational materials, drawings, giveaways and refreshments will be provided at the Kent State Student Center second floor mezzanine.

From noon to 1 p.m., an employee lunch and learn session will take place in room 313 of the Student Center to provide faculty and staff with information about the Freedom from Smoking cessation program.

A student breakout session about the cessation program will follow from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in room 315. The presenter for this session will be Sierra Baker, a health educator from the Office of Health Promotion at University Health Services.

The Great American Smokeout will also be providing information about the new smoking policy on campus, which will be in effect beginning July 1, 2017.

Kent State’s current smoking policy limits tobacco use and smoking to at least 20 feet away from campus buildings. The new policy states that all smoking, including electronic smoking devices and nicotine systems that deliver a vapor will be prohibited on any property owned, leased or operated by Kent State.

A free yoga session for both smokers and non-smokers will end the event starting at 7 p.m. in room 155 of the M.A.C. Center Annex.

Nicole Zahn is the rec sports / wellness reporter, contact her at [email protected].