47th Medical Group compound goes tobacco free

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LAUGHLIN AFB, TEXAS --  According to the Centers for Disease Control, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in this country. Responsible for one in every five American deaths, smoking is a greater cause of death and disability than any hazard in the workplace.

Non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke have a higher death rate from cardiovascular disease than non-smokers who are not exposed. The medical group has a responsibility to minimize these hazards whenever possible. Therefore, the entire campus of the 47th Medical Group, including 47th MDG-owned or leased buildings, parking lots, ramps, sidewalks, porches, entry ways, and plazas will soon be completely tobacco free. This means there will no longer be any designated smoking areas for anyone, including staff, patients, and visitors.

"As your healthcare facility, we need to take the lead in reducing hazardous second-hand smoke and discouraging other unhealthy practices, such as the use of smokeless tobacco products," said Col. Lawra Lee, 47th Medical Group Commander. "We're actually leaning forward in anticipation of changes to AFI 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force. The plan calls for various locations on base to go tobacco-free in a step-wise manner until 2010 when the plan calls for the vast majority of the base to be tobacco free."

The Mission Support Group Commander, Col. Roger Thrasher, is in agreement with this concept and is working with Colonel Lee to include the Losano Fitness Center and its surrounding areas in the tobacco-free zone as well. When the concept is finally put into place, both commanders envision the creation of a "Health and Fitness Campus."

"We got a little behind the power curve, but we're targeting sometime in December as the implementation date," said Colonel Lee. "There are few logistical issues that need to be worked out, but as soon as we have a hard date, we'll publicize it to all of our beneficiaries." Many Air Force Medical Groups have already gone tobacco-free with many more to follow in the future. There's no time like the present to enroll in a tobacco-cessation program. Call the Health and Wellness Center at 298- 6464 for more information.

(Courtesy 47th Medical Group staff)