DoD: It's a good day to quit

Published Nov. 5, 2009
By Department of Defense and 81st Medical Group
81st Medical Group

KEESLER AFB, Miss. -- Falls Church, Va. -- The Department of Defense is urging young enlisted personnel to put themselves to the test Nov. 19 for the Great American Smokeout.

The Great American Smokeout is the American Cancer Society's nationally recognized day when it advocates for people to put down their cigarettes, cigars, spit tobacco and other tobacco products.

Keesler's health and wellness center hosts the Great American Smokeout "Run Your Butts Off" 5-kilometer run Nov. 19. Registration is 6:30-7 a.m. at the HAWC, with race time at 7:15 a.m.

Trophies are awarded to the top three men and women in each age group: under 30 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years and 50+ years.

"Our service members are famous for being the toughest bunch of men and women out there, which means they are tough enough to quit tobacco if they commit to it. Nov. 19 is an excellent quit date. There's no better time to get the support and jumpstart needed to succeed," said Capt. (Dr.) David Arday, U.S. Public Health Service officer and chairman of the DOD Alcohol and Tobacco Advisory Committee.

The initiative is part of DOD's tobacco cessation campaign, "Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone Proud."

"When you quit smoking, you show that you are tough enough to conquer what some claim is merely a bad habit, but what science and research tell us is a strong addiction. But we can be stronger," Captain Arday said.

Getting support is a powerful weapon in winning the battle against tobacco. In addition to the support at medical treatment facilities, prospective quitters can find cessation resources at http://www.ucanquit2.org. A special Great American Smokeout section features an online pledge that enables service members to publicly announce that they can -- and will -- stop smoking Nov. 19. In doing so, they connect to others on their installation, across the country and around the globe in this annual worldwide event.

The award-winning Web site offers resources, peer support, games and live help with trained tobacco cessation coaches, as well as personalized, downloadable quit tools.

Users can also find social networking links to Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ucanquit2), Facebook and YouTube.

For those who want their own private area to concentrate on tobacco cessation, the campaign Web site provides users with My Quit Space, where they can create a customized quit plan and calendar.