KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Health and Wellness Center will kick off the 37th annual Great American Smoke-Out Nov. 15. This event challenges individuals to stop using tobacco, and help them identify the many tools available to kick the habit for good.

During the week of Nov.13-16, Kadena leadership, family members and friends are being asked to sponsor tobacco users by encouraging them to attend a tobacco cessation class offered at the HAWC. The class is designed not only to educate members, but to provide additional tools and resources to help them maintain and stay smoke-free for life.

The benefits of becoming tobacco free include:

· Increased mission readiness
· Increased productivity
· Increased physical endurance
· Decreased absenteeism
· Lower costs of medical expenditures associated with tobacco use
· Lower consumption rates among non-quitters
· Improved success in long-range tobacco cessation
· Reduced safety hazards from secondhand tobacco smoke
· Increased cost savings for employers, including costs associated with the risk of fire, property damage, maintenance, and employee benefits (Worker's Compensation, disability, retirement, injury and insurance)

To help communicate the benefits of tobacco free living, the Air Force released new tobacco policy guidelines in AFI 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force (March 26, 2012); the guidelines contribute to minimizing the adverse impact of tobacco use on health, mission readiness and unit performance. It also covers all tobacco products (e.g. cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, stem pipes, hookahs, smokeless products that are chewed, dipped or sniffed) and applies to all individuals on Air Force installations.

Some of the new guidelines released that will affect members are:

· Tobacco use will be restricted to Designated Tobacco Areas (DTAs) (areas marked with signage).
· DTAs will be at least 50 feet from building entrances, walkways, and parking lots and at least 100 feet from playgrounds.
· Students of all Air Force formal training are prohibited from using tobacco while in uniform.
· No tobacco use at all times while in Basic Military Training.
· Commanders are to publish enforcement measures appropriate for their populations.
· Military Treatment Facilities and campuses surrounding the clinic or hospital will be tobacco free.

For more information, please contact the Kadena HAWC at 634-2499.