Cancer patients, survivors, and advocates are marking the American Cancer Society’s 49th Great American Smokeout this Thursday.

They’re thanking state lawmakers for standing up to Big Tobacco and urging Hoosiers to make a plan to quit.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Allie Kast Gregg says this year’s $2 cigarette tax increase and higher taxes on other tobacco products are already making an impact.

Cigarette consumption is down 40 percent, and Quit Now Indiana enrollments are up 38 percent. Smoking still remains the state’s leading preventable cause of death.

Kast Gregg says quitting is difficult, but free help is available through the Empowered to Quit program or Quit Now Indiana.