Incirlik enforces tobacco use AFI

  • Published
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 39th Air Base Wing took the final steps required to fully implement Air Force Instruction 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force, Jan. 6 by moving 36 Designated Tobacco Area signs to their new AFI-compliant locations.

The AFI, which was certified in March 2012, prohibits tobacco use on all Air Force installations, except in Designated Tobacco Areas. Base civil engineer squadrons were tasked to identify locations for DTAs that met certain criteria and post DTA signs as appropriate.

Capt. Thomas Sena, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron quality assurance flight commander, said that selected areas are at least 50 feet from building entrances, ventilation systems, pedestrian walkways and parking lots to comply with the AFI.

"These locations are marked with red signs on stands that state 'Designated Tobacco Area' both in English and Turkish," said Sena.

The AFI applies to all U.S. military, federal civilian employees and Turkish nationals who work for the U.S. government.

The goal of the AFI is a tobacco-free Air Force, said Almeda Giles, 39th ABW community support coordinator, who added the AFI changes are intended to discourage tobacco use.

The AFI states, "The Air Force is committed to providing an environment that does not encourage or facilitate initiation or continued use of tobacco."

There are a number reasons mentioned in the AFI to discourage tobacco use that include personal health risks to the user, but it specifically cites secondhand tobacco smoke as a risk factor for non-tobacco users as well.

"Secondhand smoke is such a dangerous thing," said Giles. "There are classes set up to help people quit smoking. But if you continue to smoke we would not want anyone else to suffer from secondhand smoke."

Air Force leaders understand AFI 40-102 will produce a variety of opinions and emotions, as well as introduce challenges with implementation. However, some leaders emphasize that this is now a matter of policy rather than personal preference.

"This isn't a value judgment about whether or not you like using tobacco, it's a matter of enforcing Air Force standards," said Col. Craig Wills, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "It's no different than upholding and enforcing any other Air Force standard such as dress and appearance or customs and courtesies. We're not looking for anyone to be the 'smoking police.' We want our Airmen to simply enforce our standards."