Extending life by 14 years

  • Published
  • By Shari Lopatin
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years sooner than non-smokers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 20 percent of the United States' population smokes which means almost one-fifth of the country could live at least a full decade longer. Do smokers know this?

If a smoker is not quite ready to take the plunge at indefinitely quitting smoking, they can try and refrain from it for even a week or a month.

For those who have been thinking about quitting smoking and or not sure where being looking for the best resources, TriWest and Tricare can help:

· TriWest's dedicated toll-free Tobacco Quitline, 1-866-244-6870, is available everyday of the year. Talk one-on-one with a tobacco cessation coach about concerns or questions about accomplishing specific goals.

· TriWest's tobacco cessation page, www.triwest.com/tobacco, provides information about local and statewide resources, as well as quitting tools and tips.

· www.ucanquit2.org is an interactive site sponsored by the Department of Defense. Here, one can develop a quit plan, join a message board, or, if an eligible tricare beneficiary, chat live and get help quitting tobacco.

For individuals interested in connecting with other smokers/former smokers they can now join the Facebook discussion! TriWest is slated to host a discussion board on its company Facebook page called, "What Makes a Good Quitter?" Dozens of participants have already joined and posted their best success tips on how they quit for good--from using a pacifier to quitting for the sake of their children.

To join the discussion:

1) Sign into personal Facebook account
2) "Like" the TriWest Facebook page at www.facebook.com/triwest
3) Click on the "discussions" tab at the top
4) Click on the discussion entitled, "What Makes a Good Quitter?"

The Health and Wellness center located here on base also has a number of programs available for those seeking resources to help them in their quest for smoking cessation. For more information regarding the HAWC resources, contact them at 723-2991.