MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. --
It is the responsibility of the Marines and Sailors
to care for themselves and each other to maintain good health and a
professional appearance for mission readiness.
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort order
6200.2 states the dangers of tobacco use, and the benefits of prevention and
cessation programs. The order also informs personnel about designated and
off-limit smoking areas aboard the Air Station.
“From the health standpoint, it’s a
horrible thing,” said Kathy Williams, the health promotion coordinator of
Marine Corps Community Services.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death, and can lead to diseases
and disability, and causes more than 480,000 deaths in the United States
annually, including second hand smoke.
“Second hand smoke is just as
bad as first hand smoke, especially for young children and babies whose lungs
have not fully developed yet,” said Williams.
There are over 4,000
ingredients in a single cigarette. The key ingredient that causes addiction is
Nicotine.
“Nicotine is one of the hardest
drugs to kick,” said Williams. “It’s more addictive than cocaine or heroin.”
Chewing tobacco, or dip, can
be more addicting than cigarettes, because of its direct contact with the soft
tissue in the mouth, said Williams.
The effects of tobacco use on
the body are dangerous. With today’s technology it makes it easier to inform
the world about the harm it can cause.
“When commercials about the
side effects and the dangers of tobacco came out on TV, we had an increase in
people attend our tobacco cessation class,” said Williams. “It’s graphic, and
people were really paying attention to it.”
Tobacco cessation classes are
offered every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., to active duty service
members at the Branch Medical Clinic aboard the Air Station.
“Just like those who don’t
smoke, people who quit develop a heightened sense of smell and sensitivity to
smoke, and didn’t realize how bad they smelled prior,” said Williams.
The American Cancer Society
offers programs and advice for tobacco cessation, and can help those willing to
quit.
Before stopping to go buy another
pack, think about how tobacco use can affect mission readiness and overall
health.