RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Quitters never win, except when quitting smoking.
As part of Team Randolph's health promotion, the Health and Wellness Center, 12th Medical Group and the 12th Dental Squadron are offering resources for smokers who want to give tobacco the boot.
A major player in Team Randolph's tobacco cessation campaign is Lorri Tibbetts, Health Education Program manager at the Health and Wellness Center. She leads the charge in lowering Team Randolph's tobacco usage.
Fresh Start
As part of her campaign, she hosts a tobacco cessation class at the HAWC each month for smokers who want to quit and educate themselves in the process. The four-part class, called "Fresh Start," uses group discussion sessions to educate smokers on understanding their addiction to tobacco, making it through withdrawal, mastering obstacles and fears associated with quitting and the benefits of staying tobacco free.
Ms. Tibbetts says the face-to-face interaction during the group sessions is a great way for smokers to share and receive information that may not be in the class curriculum.
"People with all different backgrounds and motivations are put together in these discussions and a lot of the time, they learn from each other," she said. "One person may have tried something that worked for them that they can share with others."
The class also provides a lasting support system that many smokers find helpful in their journey to quit smoking.
"I try to provide support to all the participants, in and outside of class," Ms. Tibbetts said. "I keep in contact with them for 12 months through e-mail and encourage them to contact me anytime they need to talk."
Fresh Start participants can also receive a prescription for medication to help them quit. They can choose from three different types of medication and have a chance to speak with a representative from the 12th Medical Group during the first Fresh Start class to figure out which medication is right for them.
Although tobacco cessation classes are the most widely known resource available to members of Team Randolph who want to quit smoking, other avenues are also available.
Quitline
The "quitline," a toll-free number (1-800-548-8252) that smokers call once a week for 12 weeks, is also available for those who can't make time to attend classes. Trained counselors are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to record participants progress and provide support if needed.
"Some people who have attended classes multiple times or are unable to attend due to TDY or shift work may prefer this option," said Ms. Tibbetts.
Those who use the quitline are also able to receive medication to help stop smoking. The only requirement is attending the first session of Fresh Start to get information from a medical representative on the medication.
Ucanquit2.org
Officials say that education is key in tobacco cessation. Most smokers aren't aware of the medical, economical and environmental effects of smoking.
A Department of Defense sponsored Web site,
www.ucanquit2.org, is an educational campaign for the military. According to the site, the mission is to help servicemembers quit tobacco - for themselves and for the people they love.
Servicemembers can create a log in to the site and receive e-mails with helpful facts and hints to keep them tobacco free. Live tobacco cessation coaches are also available through the site. They can also customize a quit plan to guide them through the quitting process and create a quit calendar to monitor progress and track savings.
The Web site also offers educational materials and an anonymous message board where smokers can ask questions or get advice.
Get your smile back
Smokers who give tobacco the boot can also receive an added benefit from the 12th Dental Squadron - a free teeth whitening.
Beverly Meares, Randolph dental hygienist, said bleaching is offered to active-duty clients who have finished the cessation class and stayed smoke-free for six months.
"It is an expensive procedure on the outside, costing $250 to $500, depending on the technique," she said.
So whether one is quitting due to medical reasons, at a family member's prompting or for a free teeth whitening, the reason barely outweighs the fact that one more Team Randolph member is smoke-free.
For more information on any of the mentioned tobacco cessation programs, call Ms. Tibbetts at 652-3641. Sign-up for tobacco cessation can be accomplished at the HAWC or by visiting
https://www.php-ids.net/.