No smoking allowed at 377 MDG Published Jan. 13, 2012 By 377th Medical Group 377th Medical Group Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- Since Dec. 31, the use of tobacco products has been prohibited on the 377th Medical Group campus. This policy is mandated by the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General and is consistent with the 377 MDG's promotion of healthy lifestyle choices. The affected areas include the main clinic, the dental clinic, outlying MDG flights, storage areas and all parking areas. Nearly 50 years after the U.S. Surgeon General published the 1964 Report on Smoking and Health, smoking still remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease, according to the 377 MDG. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 440,000 Americans die of smoking-related illnesses, and an estimated 50,000 non-smokers die of illnesses related to secondhand smoke each year. More than three million Americans quit smoking each year. At any given time, 70 percent of smokers say they want to quit. Quitting smoking lowers the risk of diabetes, lets blood vessels work better and helps improve the heart and lungs, according to the 377 MDG. Effective treatment options are available to help support tobacco users quit. Choices include counseling by a health care provider, nicotine-replacement therapy, smoking-cessation medications, smoking-cessation specialty clinic services, free state-based telephone counseling quit lines and online services. Team Kirtland members who want to quit smoking can sign up for a smoking-cessation class through the Health and Wellness Center. For more information, call 846-1186 or visit http://www.quit-smoking-stop.com/harmful-smoking-effects.html or http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GuidetoQuittingSmoking