Resources provided for users as MDG campus goes tobacco-free

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  On Dec. 2, 2013, the entire 509th Medical Group campus became a tobacco-free area.

This initiative, whose goal is to promote mission readiness and health, is in line with Air Force-wide guidance from 2012 to make tobacco-free medical campuses the norm. Tobacco use extends to any form, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chew, dip, snuff and e-cigarettes.

"Nearly 70 percent of tobacco users want to quit, but the physical connection is very difficult to break," said Brian Kirby, Health and Wellness Center health promotion director. "This isn't a war on tobacco users; it's a war on tobacco. Hopefully this initiative will encourage people who are on the fence to quit once and for all. By reducing the number of locations where tobacco is allowed, it's not as appealing on a social level."

In addition to that, the number of designated tobacco areas around Whiteman has decreased from 212 to 82. Although some of the DTAs will be a longer walk for people, the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron designed them to be located no more than a four-minute walk from any workplace or dormitory.

In accordance with Air Force Instruction 40-102, "Tobacco Use in the Air Force," and 509th Bomb Wing policy, tobacco may only be used in these 82 DTAs, excluding family housing areas.

Kirby added that compliance is mandatory for all members of Team Whiteman who are not bargaining-unit employees, including guests and visitors to the base. Tobacco use anywhere else on Whiteman is prohibited, including in government and personal vehicles.

In 2010, about 22 percent of the active-duty Air Force used tobacco, and the goal for 2020 is to have just 12 percent using these products.

One Airman has already stopped her habit of cigarette smoking after seven years.

"I still have bad days and personal struggles," said Tech. Sgt. Christina Hollis, 509th Munitions Squadron unit deployment manager, who quit smoking after considering the impact it was having on her family. "I think it is important to know your weaknesses with tobacco, or any addiction, if you want to quit. Mine are clearly emotional triggers, but there are many obstacles that make quitting hard. Smoking is very social and very habitual."

The Air Force anticipates several benefits from tobacco-free campuses, including increased mission readiness, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, increased physical endurance, lower medical costs associated with tobacco use, lower tobacco consumption rates among tobacco users and improved success in quitting tobacco and maintaining abstinence.

Another expected benefit is reducing the health hazards from secondhand smoke.

"It was common in the past to see six or seven butt cans in front of a medical building," Kirby said, "and other patients would have to walk through that smoke. The advantages for the entire society far outweigh any disadvantages to users."

The Whiteman HAWC provides many resources for people who would like to stop using tobacco products, including the FreshStart program.

"This could be your best chance to quit," said Hollis, who is also a unit-level tobacco mentor. "Mentors are matched with a person, family or group who is interested in quitting and we go through FreshStart together: decide to quit, plan to quit, your quit day and 'staying quit.'  We know what they are feeling when they have withdrawals and understand if they slip up because the need for nicotine was too much for that day. I really wish I had that level of support when I faced quitting."

For anyone interested in quitting, contact the Whiteman HAWC at 660-687-7662 or visit the Department of Defense tobacco cessation website at www.ucanquit2.org.