A healthier New Year: HAWC Tobacco Cessation

  • Published
  • By Jasmine Simon
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  With the New Year comes many people making New Year's resolutions; promises made to ourselves to improve some component of our lives in 2011. This year many people vow to quit smoking and it may not be the first time.

"On average it takes someone 6 or 7 times of trying before they actually quit smoking for good," says Health & Wellness flight chief and Registered Nurse at the Health & Wellness Center, Michelle Tirado.

With the HAWC's complimentary Tobacco Cessation Program quitting may have just gotten a little easier. Individual, group and online classes are free and open to all Airmen, civilian personnel and contractors.

The TCP focuses on five major areas of well-being, pharmacology, dental care, nutrition, exercise and behavior change theory. The behavior change theory teaches practical stress management skills such as mindfulness and resiliency training.

Stress is the number one factor that can trigger a relapse for someone trying to quit smoking. According to Tirado the 2010 Kirtland tobacco (including smokeless) user rate is 23 percent and high use rates can be found in stressful occupations such as munitions squadrons and security forces squadrons. In addition to stress management techniques some of the benefits of quitting smoking include; saving money, increased energy, lowered risk of smoking associated diseases, and providing peace of mind for your loved ones.

When asked what she considers a success in the program Tirado explains, "Even your desire to quit, that's a success..."

Tirado knows a great deal about success since the program has numerous success stories. For example, eight active duty Airmen recently participated in the group tobacco cessation class. Two months later two of the eight Airmen reported that they quit smoking; which is a 25 percent success rate. Group classes are great for peer support, individual classes provide one-on-one attention while online classes offer flexibility and convenience, ideal for people with busy schedules. Those who complete self-paced on-line course can bring their registration form to the HAWC to receive an American Lung Association Tobacco Cessation Certificate.

The staff at the HAWC are so dedicated to the TCP that if someone walks into the office and they want to quick smoking, the staff stops whatever they are doing to give them a class, give them information, find out their history and give the medication they may needed. If you are visiting the HAWC for information be sure to put out your cigarette before reaching the building because the official Air Force policy is that there is no smoking within 50 feet from a building on base.

Participation in the TCP is voluntary. Although the decision is up to individual supervisors, Tirado has found 100 percent support from squadron commanders of troops desiring to participate in the program during duty hours. Medical information is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Group classes are held on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Med. Group in the dental conference room. Online classes are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The online support class is completed through the ALA-Freedom from Smoking available at www.ffsonline.com. For more information call 846-1186.