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Fairchild recognizes National Smoking Cessation Month

  • Published
  • By Will Saultes
  • Health And Wellness Center
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  November is the National Smoking Cessation Month and Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Also, Great American Smokeout is Nov. 20.

Because of these events the 92nd Medical Group wants to increase awareness about the resources available to Airmen at Fairchild AFB.

Here are some shocking anti-smoking statistics:

- It is estimated that smoking causes 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, and also many other types of cancers.  Surprisingly, cancers account for only about half of the deaths linked to smoking.  Smoking is also a major cause of heart disease, aneurysms, bronchitis, emphysema and stroke.

- Every year 480,000 people die from diseases caused by tobacco.
- 42,000 people die from secondhand smoke, including 900 infants.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined.

On top of the long-term effects tobacco use has on the body, many short term results also exist.

- Wounds take longer to heal and the immune system may not work as well in people who smoke.
- Tobacco use by men results in abnormal sperm cells and a reduced sperm count.
- Tobacco use during pregnancy increases the risks for high blood pressure, fluid retention, swelling, premature birth, and low birth weight.
- Smoking is linked to about half of the gum disease cases in the United States, which means more tooth loss and mouth surgery.  Also, tobacco causes bad breath, tooth discoloration, increased plaque/tartar, and loss of bone that supports teeth,

What is the financial impact of smoking?

For a smoker who smokes a pack a day, at an average price of $7, it will cost $2,618.88 the first year, $14,539.75 in 5 years and $33,584.13 after 10 years.  Current data suggests that 30.1 percent of Airmen smoke and a third of them began smoking once they entered the military.  Our goal at Fairchild is to provide prevention strategies aimed at reducing initiation, decreasing relapse and eliminating exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for smokers to take the first step and quit smoking for 24 hours.  This year, on Nov. 20, we will ask military members to quit smoking and give up tobacco for 24 hours.

The Fairchild Health Promotion staff will provide materials on how to quit for good.  You can stop by the Health Promotion office (located in the fitness center) between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to hand over your tobacco products (cigarettes/e-cigarettes/cigars/smokeless) and they will give you a goody bag filled with items to help you quit.  For questions, please call Fairchild Health Promotion at 247-5590.