Tobacco Free: Breaking the Habit

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabitha M. Mans
  • 31st Fighter Wing
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Are you a smoker who has considered quitting or know someone who wants to quit? If so the tobacco cessation class offered through the Aviano Health and Wellness Center is worth looking into.

"It's a course designed to assist tobacco users during the quitting process; educate patients on the risks of using tobacco and the benefits of quitting," said Staff Sgt. Rebekah Albert, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, tobacco cessation instructor.

The tobacco cessation class is a six-week course taught by Sergeant Albert, a former smoker who has been tobacco free for two years. The class also has several guest speakers who come to cover different subjects of the class. The class if offered at least once per quarter and only meets for one hour a week. Active duty, civilians and spouses all can take the class.

Each of the six classes talks about different effects of tobacco and the benefits of quitting. Class one is an orientation and education on available medications. Participants meet with a physician about their quitting needs and what medication, if any, would best benefit them. Available prescriptions through this class are Chantix, Wellbutrin and the Nicoderm Patch.

Class two is about stress management. Students learn new ways to manage stress rather than resorting to nicotine. Stretches, breathing techniques and eating well are just a few things that are talked about.

"From day one, I talk about doing a stress inventory and figuring out how you deal with stress and that you must make an effort to learn more about yourself," said Sergeant Albert. "The class helps you understand that stress is manageable when you are proactive and that tobacco doesn't make it better. It's a stimulant so it only adds fuel to the fire."

This class is also the start of tapering. Students are told to start smoking less and less each day in preparation for quit day.

Class three is about nutrition. Students learn about, one of the most feared side effects of stopping tobacco use, weight gain. Most people gain some weight when they quit, but with a healthy diet and exercises it can be minimized or avoided. This is also quit day, the first day of the students being tobacco free.

Class four is about dental health. Students learn the bad effects the use of tobacco has on their mouth. Everything from bad breath to the black hairy tongue is talked about during this the class. Also they learn how tobacco use can affect their physical features like making the gums recede and eventually leading to tooth loss.

Class five is about physical heath. The class talks about exercising and how the body is more efficient without the effects of tobacco. For instance, non-tobacoo users can breathe in more oxygen when running and their bodies heal faster from injuries.

During class six, Sergeant Albert discusses relapse. Although it is not OK, it happens. Sergeant Albert, who tried to quit three times before she succeeded, talks about her experience with relapse after three months of being tobacco free and what she learned from the experience.

"After I relapsed, I learned that I had made the right decision to quit. It didn't feel right. There was no place for it. I had given myself the chance to see what a tobacco free life was like and I knew that I wanted to stay on that path," said Sergeant Albert.

This class has a success rate of about 50 percent. Participants are asked to really think about quitting and to give themselves enough time to mentally and emotionally prepare for it. Someone has to want to quit more than they want to smoke.

"The best part of the classes was the amazing support I received. Even after I completed the classes, I continued to receive support and encouragement. I don't believe I would have made it this long without them. I'm looking forward to celebrating one year of tobacco free on June 25," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Schatzman, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Buzzard programs and facility manager, a 13-year smoker who was up to two packs a day before he quit.

Interested individuals can call the HAWC at 632-4573 to sign up.