The Great American Smoke-Out
Today is the Great American Smoke-Out, a day when smokers nationally are encouraged to quit. The health reasons are too many to list. My father died of lung fibrosis most likely caused by smoking, so I've got a personal reason to urge you to quit if you smoke, and not to start if you don't smoke. Teens are particularly vulnerable to advertising pressure to smoke, so if you're young and have a friend who smokes, try some friendly peer pressure.
The Guilford County Department of Public Health has a good deal of information here on things going on locally with regard to tobacco.
UPDATE: QuitlineNC offers "free, expert support" for those trying to quit. Visit the site or dial 1-800-QUIT-NOW.