Be a Quitter! Join the Great American Smokeout Published Nov. 8, 2013 By Lori Halvorson Health and Wellness Center MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Thinking of quitting smoking? Then why not join the millions of other Americans who pledge to stop smoking for at least one day during the American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout? This year's event will take place Nov. 21. The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November each year by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting, even for one day, smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life- one that can lead to reducing cancer risks. Tobacco use still remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., yet approximately 43.8 million Americans still smoke cigarettes. In fact, tobacco accounts for one out of every five deaths each year, killing more people than AIDS, alcohol, drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicides and fires--combined. Currently, 25.5 percent or 1,390 active duty members from Minot Air Force Base use tobacco. Minot AFB ranks 3.1 percent higher than total Air Force Global Strike Command usage and 6.5 percent higher than total Air Force usage. Our goal is to decrease tobacco usage rate by five percent by October 2014. Here's how you can help; each person who 'Commits to Quit' will receive a Quit Kit which includes candy and a tip sheet on how to relieve stress but most importantly, it contains a pledge card that says the smoker will 'Commit to Quit' for 24 hours during GASO. Are you a non-smoker? Awesome! Here's your chance to sponsor a smoker to quit for just a day. Help the smoker get five signatures from people who can support the tobacco user and will help hold you accountable to quit for that day. Turn in your pledge card by noon on Nov. 20 for a chance to win some exciting prizes. Now is your chance to make a difference and to quit tobacco for one day, one week, one month or for a lifetime. The challenge is yours and can be done with the help of your support system including family, friends, and co-workers. I encourage you to take that first step and pledge to 'Commit to Quit'. Please contact the Health & Wellness Center at 723-5399 for more information. If the GASO is not your day to quit, the HAWC is here for you when you are ready. Free Assistance for giving up tobacco that is available includes: Tobacco Cessation Classes is a series of four sessions starting the first Tuesday of every month from 12 - 1 p.m. (bring your lunch) at the HAWC, located in the 3rd floor of the 5th Medical Group. Nicotine replacement therapy is available through your PCM if you participate in the four sessions. As an incentive, the dental clinic will provide free teeth whitening for individuals who remain tobacco free for four months after completion of the class (Active Duty only). Contact Lori Halvorson, Health Promotion Coordinator of the HAWC, at 723-5399 to register. Additional Classes can be scheduled to Squadrons upon request to be facilitated within their facility (minimum of five participants required). If classes do not fit into your schedule, The American Lung Association Tobacco Quitline is available by calling 1-877-695-7848. Identify yourself as being from Minot AFB to start your counseling sessions. Counseling through ALA also qualifies individuals for Nicotine replacement therapy and teeth whitening. Also, visit www.ucanquit2.org for help. The Great American Smokeout--being a quitter for a day can lead to quitting for a lifetime!