Just blowing smoke Published Aug. 28, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Lauren Pitts Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Health and Wellness Center, with help from the American Lung Association, has set out to reduce the amount of tobacco use among active duty members and their families with their Tobacco Cessation Program. The program is a series of four weekly classes that teaches and encourages strategies on how to control, cut back, and eventually quit tobacco products, said Lori Halvorson, Tobacco Cessation Program instructor, 5th Medical Support Squadron. "Quitting smoking is the number one thing a person can do to improve their health," said Halvorson, who has been working the HAWC to curb smoking at Minot. "We just want people to know that we're here to help them." Starting on the first Tuesday of each month, and for the following three consecutive Tuesdays, from noon to 1 p.m., instructors, including Halvorson, help attendees strategize ways to quit by helping to identify "triggers," which includes avoiding high risk situations and altering routines. "Some people continue to smoke because it's the first thing they do in the morning, or they always have a cigarette with their coffee," said Halvorson. Halvorson explained after nicotine leaves the body, what remains is only the habit, and altering everyday routines is an effective way to prevent users from feeling like they need to smoke. The five A's also include alternatives to smoking, such as chewing carrots, staying active, either with exercise or by finding a hobby, and by anticipating situations where the opportunity to smoke could arise. "Socialization is a big trigger for people," said Halvorson. "If a smoker knows they're going out with people, they need to anticipate the situation, and think of ways to avoid smoking before they're confronted with it." Although the Tobacco Cessation Program has been relatively successful in decreasing the amount of tobacco use, the HAWC understands that not everyone interested in quitting can make it to the classes. That is why, thanks to the American Lung Association, there is now a telephone counseling hotline open seven days a week, with a designated line for military. The HAWC wants to provide military members and their families with every tool available to assist in their efforts to quit tobacco products. From using incentives like free teeth whitening for active duty members, or just discussing the 4,000 different chemicals found in cigarette smoke, the goal is helping Minot become tobacco free. "Every time someone attempts to quit smoking, they learn something about themselves," said Halvorson. 'I don't see an attempt as a failure for that person. It just helps them prepare to quit for good." Anyone interested in participating in the Tobacco Cessation Program classes can contact the HAWC at 723-5399 for more information. Individuals can also call the American Lung Association Tobacco Quit line counseling service at 1-877-695-7848 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week; tell them you are from Minot Air Force Base for assistance.