Strike Eagle medics go smoke free

  • Published
  • By Airman First Class Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Strike Eagle Medical group campus plans to go completely smoke free Oct. 1.

This comes as a new initiative from 4th Medical Group commander Col. Stephen Higgins to create a healthier environment for not only the patients, but also the staff.

"As medics we should set the tobacco-free standard," Colonel Higgins said.

Smoking and other tobacco use will now be prohibited outside of the following areas: the main clinic, the dental clinic, the bioenvironmental engineering building, the TRICARE service center, WRM warehouse, the Health and Wellness Center and the veterinary clinic, said the medical group commander.

There are many avenues available to help people on base who want to kick their habit, said Crystal Spears-Jones, health and wellness center educator here.

"You can call the American Lung Association help line at 1-800-548-8252," Mrs. Spears-Jones said. "We also have programs here at the HAWC available to anyone with a military I.D. We know it's not easy to quit and we're here to help."

The association help line starts the caller on a tobacco cessation program and notes their habits, demographics and background in order to create the most effective quitting plan, Mrs. Spears-Jones said.

The initiative coincides with the surrounding Wayne County's move to make smoking on hospital campuses prohibited, said Colonel Higgins.

"We're trying to help the people who are riding the fence to finally stop smoking," Colonel Higgins said. "We have to remain mission ready at all times, and tobacco prohibits you from being 100 percent."

The HAWC will start classes at the medical group next week, but the first classes are reserved for those directly affected by the smoking ban. Mrs. Spears-Jones said anyone wanting help to quit is welcome to schedule an appointment, or just stop by the HAWC.

"The tobacco use rate at Seymour Johnson AFB is at 30.4 percent, much more than the total force use of tobacco rate of 23.6 percent," Colonel Higgins said. "This is the first step to a healthier, happier Seymour."