Smoke-free clinic encourages healthy lifestyle

  • Published
  • By Maj. Arturo Castro
  • 36th Medical Group
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) --  Encouraging healthy lifestyles is the focus of a new policy at the 36th Medical Group here.

A no smoking policy is now in effect for everyone assigned to the 36th MDG while they are on its campus, including the parking spaces adjacent to the clinic. Signs are being erected to request visitors keep all tobacco products in their vehicles.

“This bold initiative may seem drastic, but it is a proclamation to Andersen that as healthcare providers we understand the hazards of smoking and are willing to lead the way,” said Col. Kristan Wolf, 36th Medical Group commander.

“Timing seemed to be right, as our smoking area had to be closed or moved due to the ongoing construction of the new clinic and expansion of the logistics warehouse. We chose to close it, essentially eliminating the smoking area for our members and everyone visiting the (facility)," Colonel Wolf said.

The colonel said the organization’s two squadron commanders are awarding day passes once someone successfully completes a smoking cessation course and remains smoke-free, to encourage their own staffs to kick the habit.

Cigarette smoking has been cited by several medical agencies as the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. The deaths associated with smoking in the United States have outnumbered the combined deaths from AIDS, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, suicide, motor vehicle crashes and fires. Tobacco-related deaths among U.S. adults number more than 430,000 per year, representing more than 5 million years of potential life lost. Direct medical costs attributable to smoking total at least $50 billion per year.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2004 the percentage of smokers in the general population was 21 percent. As of April 2006, the percentage of active duty population smokers on Andersen was 28 percent. On average, an active-duty male is more likely to smoke than his male civilian counterpart.

“The Air Force has made changes to counter this behavior. In basic military training, smoking is prohibited among trainees and continues as they attend their technical training school,” Colonel Wolf said. “Recently, smoking has been prohibited in the dormitory rooms here at Andersen. These efforts have all been initiated to encourage a reduction in smoking among our Airmen.

“You may have thought about it, may have decreased your consumption, or even tried quitting before, but now is the time to take action … for your family and for your health,” she said.