Tobacco cessation program helps kick habit’s ‘butt’

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Whether it's chewed or smoked, wrapped in white or brown paper or contained in a flavorful packet, tobacco is addictive. For 29.4 percent of the Team Andersen community, this addiction is a stone-cold reality. 

The health and wellness clinic offers monthly tobacco cessation courses for military members and their dependents looking to break free from that addiction. 

"[Our] overall objective is to decrease usage rates on base and [to equip] the people who want to quit with the resources to do so," said Maj. Cynthia Pouncey, 36th Medical Operations Squadron health promotion manager and registered dietician at the health and wellness center. 

The Quit Smart program, Andersen's tobacco cessation course, is an hour-long briefing held up to two times one day per month to educate smokers on the risks and dangers of prolonged tobacco usage. Prolonged tobacco use puts smokers at risk for various cancers, emphysema other health problems. 

According to the American Heart Association's Web site, in the U.S., 26.2 million men and 20.9 million women are smokers, placing them at higher risk for heart attacks or strokes. 

In addition to putting smokers at risk for potentially fatal diseases and creating a financial burden due to the habit, prolonged tobacco use can also impact mission readiness and fitness. 

"Nicotine affects your oxygen carrying capacity," Major Pouncey said. "It can affect stamina and endurance, having a direct effect on fitness tests, people's careers and the mission." 

According to Major Pouncey, Andersen's Quit Smart program boasts a 50- to 66-percent success rate. 

"This program is different because when people come here, they're ready to quit," Major Pouncey said. "They want it. I'm not trying to convince them to quit. They want to be here. They have to have the willingness to quit and ability to find a strong way of coping. If they do that, they can be very successful in this program." 

Tobacco cessation also offers other ways for smokers to seek help, including holding online courses and directing smokers to other agencies that can provide information and assistance on kicking the habit. 

"Tobacco cessation is very hard to quit," Major Pouncey said. "Nicotine is a very strong addiction. It's more addictive than crack cocaine or heroin. Most people will fail eight times in their attempt to quit before they actually do." 

Major Pouncey insists readiness and willingness to quit go a long way in the road to recovery. 

"People truly need to understand their barriers and triggers [as well as plan for] how they're going to use their time when they quit," Major Pouncey said. "Reviewing the reasons why they quit over and over helps them be ready for these tough times. It's very rewarding when those people come back six months later and tell me I helped change their life and that they feel better, healthier and happier."