HAWC helps Airmen kick the tobacco habit

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Brian Jones
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. To help Incirlik members kick the habit, the 39th Medical Group Health and Wellness Center offers monthly Tobacco Cessation classes.

Tobacco use increases heart rate and blood pressure, thickens the blood and constricts the blood vessels in the arms and legs. The CDC notes that on average, adult smokers die 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. Through the Tobacco Cessation classes, HAWC professionals alert Incirlik users of the potential physical and financial impacts of their habit.

"We let them know of the dangers that come from not just smoking tobacco, but from using smokeless tobacco," said Tech. Sgt. Charles McLean, 39th Medical Group nutritionist. "(Our goal) is to give people a way to free themselves from the burdens that smoking can put on a person in the ways of health and finances."

The CDC estimates that smoking causes 438,000, or one of every five, deaths per year. Of those who die, approximately 38,000 deaths are attributed to being exposed to secondhand smoke providing a reason for nonsmokers to encourage their smoking friends to stop.

"The class is not only for smokers," said the nutritionist. "If you know a smoker and want to help them quit, you can come to the class so you can help them put the lighter down for good."

The Tobacco Cessation classes are conducted in four, one-hour sessions over four weeks with the goal of eliminating tobacco use by the third class. The course focuses on behavior modification, goal setting and identifying triggers and how to control them, according to Sergeant McLean.

In addition, the class incorporates several medication options to help ease the transition to a tobacco-free lifestyle to include nicotine replacement patches and other prescription medications.

"(After people quit tobacco) they feel great, can taste their food, their clothes don't smell and they are in much better shape," said Sergeant McLean.

For the month of August, Tobacco Cessation classes are scheduled for Wednesdays from noon - 1 p.m. The first class will be Aug. 8. September's classes will meet from 5 - 6 p.m. For more information, call the HAWC at 676-9357.