Offutt medical campus to become tobacco free

Published Feb. 20, 2013
By Col. Dave Roll
55th Medical Group

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- In accordance with the Air Force Surgeon General's new tobacco policy and Air Force Instruction 40-102, the 55th Medical Group will declare itself "tobacco-free" eliminating designated tobacco areas and prohibiting use of all tobacco products on the medical campus starting June 1.

"We all know that tobacco use is not good for us. A tobacco-free medical campus is just one more step in demonstrating the Air Force Medical Service's commitment to reducing the use of tobacco products in our force," said Col. Steve Mounts, 55th Medical Group commander. "Our mission today is hard enough and Airmen who use tobacco products potentially put themselves and their team at risk. The way I see it, using tobacco gives our enemies an advantage...it slows our Airmen down, and ultimately reduces their ability to stay in the fight."

Air Force fitness data shows lower scores for smokers compared to non-smokers. Additional health data indicates smoking also impairs night vision, reduces physical endurance and increases the time it takes to heal after injury.

"If I were deploying, I'd want to ensure I was 100 percent fit and ready for any challenge, and tobacco use is a step in the wrong direction" Mounts said.

Despite the issues with tobacco use, 20 percent of Airmen in the Air Force and 22 percent of Team Offutt continue to use some form of tobacco regularly.

"We can and should do better," said Col. John Rauch, 55th Wing commander. "Tobacco use has a significant impact on the mission and an even bigger impact on the cost of keeping Airmen and their families healthy. Our nation and our Air Force are facing significant budget challenges, and the direct and indirect effects of tobacco use cost Americans millions each year in additional health care expenses."

The AF Surgeon General has stated that tobacco use is inconsistent with a fit and healthy force and continued use of tobacco products by Airmen results in significant impact to the mission. The Centers for Disease Control have shown lost duty time from smoking in the Air Force amounts to 3,573 full-time equivalents per year - equal to the loss of an entire Air Force wing.

Therefore, on June 1 the following 55th MDG facilities and their surrounding parking/grassy areas will adopt a tobacco-free policy: the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic, the satellite pharmacy (bldg.147) and flight medicine operations in Fairchild Hall (bldg. 527).

"I recognize the loss of a designated tobacco use area may present some personal challenges for our staff and our customers, but we're committed to improving Team Offutt's health," Mounts said.

A quarter of the 75 Air Force medical facilities worldwide have already established tobacco-free policies and more than 3,200 civilian hospitals around the country have been tobacco-free for years.

"As members of the Air Force Medical Service, we must lead by example," Mounts said. "Being a place of healing, it is our duty to create a healthy environment and to encourage everyone to adopt healthier habits. It is time for us to tackle this challenge as a community with the overall goal of reducing the use of tobacco."

The Offutt Health and Wellness Center, 294-5977, offers a number of tobacco cessation options, including formal tobacco cessation classes for Airmen who want to quit smoking. Off-base tobacco cessation options include Military One Source, 1-800-342-9647, TRICARE's Smoking Quite Lines, 1-866-244-6870, the Department of Defense website and the State Quit Line, 1-800-784-8669. In addition, medical group primary care providers are always available to assist Airmen and families with their desire to quit using tobacco through active counseling and prescription treatment.

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)