Kicking smoking's 'butt' to the curb

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Care for a dose of congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis, or diabetes? Then keep on puffing because these, among others, are possible health complications that may accompany the habit of smoking cigarettes.

In an effort to help Airmen nip smoking in the butt and avoid these consequences, the Air Force declared November "Tobacco Cessation Month" and made a concerted effort to inform Airmen of the cessation resources available to them. At Kadena, one of these resources is Mr. Kenneth Lyons, a 64-year-old ex-smoker and volunteer instructor for the tobacco cessation class held at Kadena's Health and Wellness Center.

According to Mr. Lyons, he's lucky to be alive. He smoked for 41 years, beginning at the impossibly tender age of 7. By his teenage years, he was smoking a pack of cigars and three packs of Marlboros a day. Twelve years ago, doctors told him he had two years to live. Eyes opened wide, Mr. Lyons made the decision to stub out his last cigarette. Now, more than a decade later, he happily shares the earned wisdom of four near-death experiences with anyone willing to give quitting the old college try.

"I'm here to help individuals take control of their lives and live a normal one," said Mr. Lyons, adding, "I have an opportunity to give back and make up for all the hurt I did to the world while I was smoking."

Individuals like Mr. Lyons and Capt. Jared Dahle, Health and Wellness Center flight commander, have a tough job ahead of them. Kadena has a 26 percent tobacco use rate, 3 percent higher than the Air Force as whole, and 5 percent higher than the U.S. The captain believes that one of the contributing factors to Kadena's high smoking rate is the preponderance of 18-24 year-olds on base, a demographic particularly sensitive to tobacco's charms. The other problem is the culture on the island, which permits smoking inside buildings and at public places, unlike in the U.S.

Regardless of the reasons for its prevalence, Mr. Lyons and Capt. Dahle are committed to smoking out smoking at Kadena. On Nov. 19, in what was dubbed the "Great American Smokeout," the two of them, along with others of a similar bent, canvassed the base encouraging smokers to quit for a day and leaving them with the information they'll need when ready to quit for good.

"The Great American Smokeout is to get people to give up tobacco for one day," said Captain Dahle. "The goal isn't to have them quit forever; it's just to help them take that first step towards that ultimate goal."

As a result of their efforts, the HAWC's cessation class has seen a surge of December attendees. Beginning on the first Monday of every month, individuals who elect to participate attend three classes, one a week for three weeks. The HAWC also added two extra start dates to double the opportunity for individuals to quit smoking and for those unable to physically attend the course, the HAWC offers an online course through the American Lung Association.

"I decided to try this course in an attempt to quit smoking once and for all," said Master Sgt. William Simonson, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron administrator. "I've made at least a dozen attempts over the years, but I still have to try."

According to the captain, the first two weeks are the most intense, a fact of which Mr. Lyons is well aware. Having gone through the entire quitting process, Mr. Lyons can empathize with the challenges participants face and so does what he can to encourage them towards success and, ultimately, health.

"Trying to quit is a difficult job," said Mr. Lyons, adding that, according to the American Cancer Society, tobacco is 10 times more addictive than heroine.

Sergeant Simonson, who's very familiar with the course, said that the toughest part is when you're on your own. He's optimistic about his chances for success on this go-round in part because he has the support of his family and coworkers to help him quit for good.

"You have to be willing to quit and willing to make changes to cope with your tobacco problem, a problem which directly affects others around you," said the sergeant. "Some of the physical changes you need to make are to change your diet and get back to physical fitness to flush that junk out of your system."

With the Air Force pushing for physically fit Airmen, the HAWC strives to give every individual the opportunity to develop a healthy lifestyle. According to Capt. Dahle, this opportunity is one of the greatest benefits the military offers its members. And as Mr. Lyons, who - against the odds - is still alive and kicking, can attest, it's a gift that keeps on giving.