Team XL takes part in Great American Smokeout

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The American Cancer Society has marked Nov. 17 as the 36th Great American Smokeout, encouraging tobacco users to stop for the day and make a plan to quit all together.

The Laughlin Health and Wellness Center played their part in the nation-wide effort by going around base and spreading the message.

"The Great American Smokeout encourages tobacco users of all types, cigarettes, dip and chew, to quit for the day," said Grisel Sanchez, HAWC Health Promotion program manager. "It is a tool used to show tobacco users that if you can quit for 24 hours, you can quit for life."

According to www.cancer.org, approximately 46 million people smoke, but more than half attempted to quit for one day in the past year.

"The smokeout is important because it can help lead to a healthier lifestyle and better quality of life," Sanchez said. "There are numerous health risks associated with smoking, such as heart disease and many different types of cancers. However, the greatest reason to quit should be achieving a better quality of life."

While tobacco use is high nationwide, a 2005 American Lung Association study states that 32 percent of active-duty personnel use tobacco opposed to only 21 percent of the general population.

"It is important for military members to quit because studies found that smokers have decreased night vision, ability to deal with stress, lung capacity, wound healing, increased injuries and foot blistering," Sanchez said.

To counter the high tobacco use, members from the HAWC visited the 47th Security Forces Squadron and the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron's fire house giving free hand massages that help smokers quit. A dental hygienist offered free oral cancer screenings while information on how to quit was presented.

"Tobacco users are at an increased risk of oral cancer, however, everyone can get oral cancer. Just like any other cancer, early detection of oral cancer is key," said Tech Sgt. Kendra Lauruhn, 47th Medical Operations Squadron dental hygienist. "We had a very good turnout and today was extremely successful."

Even though this isn't a weekly routine, the HAWC offers year-round programs to help those who want to kick the habit. Each week the HAWC offers classes on how to quit using tobacco, online classes are available from the American Lung Association at www.Ucanquit2.org.

"We offer something to fit everyone's lifestyle," Sanchez said. "Hopefully those involved in the events of the event learn what services Laughlin can offer for quitting and will achieve it in the future."