No Better Time To Kick the Tobacco Habit

  • Published
  • By Maj. Lisa Tauai
  • Health Promotion Flight Commander
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  November is the Air Force's Quit Tobacco Use Month and is a perfect time to begin the first steps towards kicking the tobacco habit! Although kicking the tobacco habit may seem easier said than done, a variety of tools exist to help you successfully reach this monumental goal. The Ramstein Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) offers several programs and services to assist our ID card holders along the way. For program details, please call the HAWC at 480-4292. 

American Cancer Society's Freshstart Tobacco Cessation Program: 

· This 6-series program is offered on a monthly basis and includes a medical, behavior health, nutrition/fitness, and medication component that arms our participants for tobacco cessation success. Members enrolled in DEERS have the option of beginning medications such as the nicotine patch, Zyban, or Chantix. The specific medication, as needed, will be determined through the member's provider/pharmacist. 

American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking Web-Based Program: 

· For members unable to attend the Freshstart Tobacco Cessation Program, a web-based tool is available for their use. 

Toll-Free Tobacco Quit Line: 

· If members prefer to obtain assistance via the telephone by trained counselors, a toll-free tobacco quit line exists. The information concerning how to dial in DSN and through a personal phone line can be found under the Tobacco Cessation portion of the Ramstein HAWC website at https://sg2.usafe.af.mil/RamsteinHAWC.  

· Due to time zone differences, live counselors are only available from approximately 1500-2230 Central European Time. The live counselors will discuss a quit plan, tobacco triggers, and ideas when faced with those triggers that often result in a tobacco relapse. 

· A LiveHelp Online Chat option is available around the clock and provides an opportunity to confidentially chat with an information specialist from the National Cancer Institute. 

· For additional information concerning the toll-free quit line and online chat services, log onto www.Smokefree.gov.  

Tobacco Cessation Tools/Information: 

· As part of the Department of Defense tobacco free campaign, Make Everyone Proud, a tremendous campaign website tool exists to assist tobacco users and can be accessed at www.ucanquit2.org. Log on today!

In an effort to effectively spread tobacco cessation awareness, check out the information booths displayed throughout the KMC during the month of November and/or call the Ramstein HAWC for additional information. 

Event Date/Time Location:
 
- 86 MDG Tobacco Cessation Info Booth; Nov. 2 through 30; 86 MDG Tricare Lobby 

- Airman and Family Readiness Center Open House/Year of the AF Family Event; Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.;  Airman and Family Readiness Center 

- Little Teeth, Big Smiles; Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Ramstein Dental Clinic 

- Turkey Trot; Nov. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m.; Southside Fitness Center 

- Tobacco Cessation Info Booth; Nov. 16 through 20; Ramstein Commissary 

- Manned Tobacco Cessation Info Booth; Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; KMCC Food Court 

- Manned Tobacco Cessation Info Booth; Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Ramstein Dining Facility 

- Tobacco Cessation Info Booth; Nov. 30 (all day); Northside Shoppette 

- Tobacco Cessation Facilitator Course; Nov. 30 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.;Ramstein HAWC; 

For more information or to sign up for these and other events during Quit Tobacco Use Month, contact the Ramstein HAWC at 480-4292.