HAWC on smoking -- 'never too late to quit' Published Aug. 3, 2011 By 81st Training Wing Health and wellness center KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- It's never too late to quit smoking, and if that last attempt wasn't successful, it doesn't mean you should give up. The health and wellness center can assist you with your fight against nicotine. Smokers don't have to battle nicotine addiction alone. Several options are available. Onsite classroom or mobile classes utilize the American Cancer Society's Freshstart program, a four-week program that lasts one hour each session and meets Wednesdays at noon and 5 p.m. Participants attend class and have weekly blood pressures taken. These are group settings and participation is required to increase the success of quitting. The four sessions address the how and why of tobacco use, mastering the first few days, overcoming obstacles and staying quit. Four consecutive visit are encouraged, but a missed class can be made up. The quit line option is with the American lung Association's Freedom from Smoking, a 12-week counselor-assisted program. Participants initiate the call and inform the counselor that they're at Keesler. Blood pressure readings are also required. Participants call at least once a week with updates and receive provided support during the program. Phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. If participants cannot reach a counselor, they provide a name and number for call back or the standard weekly call information for proper doctor notification. Visiting www.ucanquit2.org offers a live chat 24/7 which can help anytime a craving strikes. This is a Defense Department tobacco cessation website available to eligible Tricare and Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who are trying to quit. There are tools such as games, savings calculator and message board aimed at achieving the goal of tobacco freedom. Medication is available for those in either the classroom or quit line program. For more information, call 376-3170.