Stay tobacco-free in 2013

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John D. Partlow
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  November is Air Force Tobacco-Free Month, and the Laughlin Health and Wellness Center is using this month to educate base members on their classes to help people become tobacco-free.

"The Air Force wants better and healthier airmen," said Ray Torres, 47th Medical Operations Squadron health promotion manager. "We're hosting an event such as the Great American Smokeout to inform people of the negative health effects tobacco can have."

The Great American Smokeout is a nationally recognized day used to encourage smokers to quit using tobacco, even if for just one day, to take a step towards living a tobacco-free life. Laughlin recognizes this day on Nov. 15 to help educate base members on the dangers of tobacco use and to showcase the variety of options the HAWC provides for members who want to quit using.

"We want people to know we're here to help them quit," said Torres. "If members decide to make the decision to quit, we want them to know we're here to support and help them transition into a tobacco-free life."

According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death worldwide, and cigarette smoke contains more than 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.

"Tobacco can irritate or destroy gingival tissue as well as cause receding gingival tissue, tooth decay, bone loss around the teeth, stained, discolored teeth and bad breath," said Dr. (Capt.) Jeffrey Welch, 47th Medical Operations Squadron general dentist. "All this can cause irreparable damage to the teeth and supporting structures."

The Laughlin HAWC team hopes to reach tobacco users before health problems begin to negatively influence their lives by hosting smoking cessation classes and programs such as Adopt a Tobacco User.

"The program allows base members to use the wingman concept in a tobacco-free setting," said Torres. "It allows one person to sponsor a tobacco user by helping them through cravings, taking them to lunch, distracting them when they have the urge to use and other helpful tasks."

There is usually a direct correlation between someone with a support system and success in becoming tobacco-free, Torres added.

If interested in the Great American Smokeout, Adopt a Tobacco User program or other tobacco cessation classes, call the HAWC at 298-6464.