Accept the Great American Smokeout challenge

  • Published
  • By the Whiteman Health and Wellness Center
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Whiteman will celebrate the Great American Smokeout Nov. 15. Thirty years ago, the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout began as a way to inspire and encourage smokers to quit; it is now recognized as an Air Force health observance. The Smokeout challenges and motivates tobacco users across the country to quit for one day.

Most health care professionals and many tobacco users agree that smoking-related diseases are the most preventable cause of death in our society. An estimated 45 million adults in the U.S. currently smoke, and about half will die prematurely from smoking.

At this time 32 percent of active duty members at Whiteman use tobacco products. However, there are many people in our community who are in the process of quitting at this time. More than 46 million American adults have successfully quit smoking; many of them began with a plan to quit for one day.

Are you thinking about quitting?
The health and wellness center staff wants to help you use the Great American Smokeout to make that commitment to quit. Even if you are not ready to live a tobacco free lifestyle, you can use the smokeout to get prepared for the day when you will quit for good.

Are you willing to take the challenge and quit on Nov. 15 for the day?
If so, find a support person (non-tobacco user) and come by the HAWC together between Nov. 1 and Nov. 14 to sign a pledge sheet and pick up your "Tobacco-Free" bracelet and related support materials. If you are interested, you can make an appointment to get your carbon monoxide level checked before and after the smokeout. Quitting smoking, even for one day, will reduce the level of CO in your blood, increase your awareness of your tobacco habits and help you identify the resources needed to live a tobacco free lifestyle.

For more information about the Great American Smokeout or other tobacco cessation programs available at the HAWC, call 687-7662.