Incirlik’s tobacco cessation program helps Airmen beat the habit

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ray Bowden
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  America's Armed Forces have come a long way since Army General John Pershing addressed World War II troops saying "You ask me what we need to win the war? I answer tobacco as much as bullets!"

It's safe to say that attitudes concerning tobacco use have changed radically since the WWII days when Lucky Strike cigarettes came in C-Rations.

"Back then, cigarettes were seen as stylish and fashionable, but not anymore," said Tech. Sgt. Charles McLean, 39th Medical Group Health and Wellness Center noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

With the Air Force's current emphasis on being fit to fight and personal readiness, the 39th MDG HAWC staff hopes to educate and hopefully use among Incirlik Airmen.

"The HAWC offers year-round tobacco cessation classes to inform Airmen on the negative effects of tobacco use," said Sergeant McLean.

According to the Surgeon General's 2006 report, "The Health Consequences of Smoking," smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States, accounting for 440,000 deaths annually and $157 billion spent annually on health-related costs. The report also states that approximately one-third of all tobacco users die prematurely.

Along with affecting their health, tobacco use can also affect an Airman's bank account.

"If you smoke a pack a day and the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is $3.50-to-$4, you spend about $25-to-$30 a week," said Sergeant Mclean. The same can be said for a can of dip, which is somewhere around $4."

Dipping is the process of placing a pinch of tobacco between the lower lip and teeth were it simulates the flow of saliva, causing the person using the 'dip' to spit frequently.

According to American Cancer Society anti-tobacco literature, smokeless tobacco users face a variety of health hazards to include leukoplakia, a form of mouth cancer characterized by white leathery patches caused from direct contact with the tobacco juice. Smokeless tobacco users are also susceptible to a declining sense of taste and smell and dental problems such as receding gums and tooth decay.

HAWC smoking cessation classes offer Airmen methods to deal with their desire for nicotine. One such method is the Smoking Cessation Survival Kit.

"For some people, smoking is the habit of putting things up their mouth, so we have them build a survival kit containing chewing gum, toothpicks or even stir-sticks," said Sergeant McLean. "Whenever they have a desire to smoke, they can reach for their kit."

Airmen are asked to list their reasons for wanting to quit using tobacco on a three-by-five card and, when faced with the urge to smoke, review these reasons and wait five minutes before reaching for their tobacco.

The benefits of quitting are readily apparent in most cases.

"Quitting will lower a smoker's blood pressure, improve their circulation and clear out their lungs. It will be much easier to breath," said Sergeant McLean.

According to Sergeant McLean, a desire to quit is the first step. Asking for assistance is the second.

"People have to voluntarily come to us; they have to motivate themselves because no one can make anyone give up an addiction," he said.

Sergeant McLean warns that 'holiday smokers' or Airmen who only use tobacco occasionally are still subject to the risk full-time user's face.

"There's no such thing as a safe amount of nicotine. Saying you're going to smoke a safe amount of nicotine is like saying you're going to drink a safe amount of arsenic.

Nicotine is the chief chemical in tobacco although the average cigarette contains more than 4,000 chemicals, said the Surgeon General's report.

Airmen seeking information on tobacco cessation are encouraged to sign up for a smoking cessation class. HAWC staff may be reached at 676-5963.