(SIOUX CITY, IA) It's the 33rd Annual Great American Smokeout: your day to quit smoking. The American Cancer Society wants to help smokers quit forever, one day at a time.    

Russell Clingenpeel is 78 years old and a smoker for 60. He's tried quitting smoking before but this time it's for good.

"I just took it one day at a time. Every day and made it another day and finally here it is almost 5 months," says Russell Clingenpeel.    

Russell started seeing a pulmonary specialist for shortness of breath. He quit smoking cold turkey after learning how much damage it causes.

"The minute you quick smoking, the little cilia in your lungs come back to life and start cleaning your lungs back out," says Harlan Hansen, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Manager.

"When you see that and see what your lungs are really like that, I think it's a good lesson," says Clingenpeel.

His plan to quit includes regular exercise at Mercy's Pulmonary Rehab Center.

"You have a plan so that when the urge hits you to smoke, you have something to combat it," says Hansen.

The Great American Smokeout is a great first step.

"I know a lot of people that can stay off for a day because they've got a plan to do it. So we need to extend that plan on down the road for a day, a week, a month, a year," says Hansen.

Russell's plan includes a bigger reason to stay smoke-free.

"Seeing my grand kids grow up, get through college, etc. My wife and I still like to travel," says Clingenpeel.

"It's all about having more birthdays and staying around to help those we love celebrate more birthdays too," says Amy Paulsen, American Cancer Society.

Even at 78, Russell knows it's never to late to quit.

"No matter when you quit smoking, it helps you. Even though I smoked for 60 years, quitting smoking is bound to help you," says Clingenpeel.

 If you're looking to quit smoking for good, Quitline Iowa can help. You can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for counseling and nicotine replacement therapy.

Reported by Erika Thomas. You can contact her at ethomas@kmeg.com.