MARINE CORPS AIR STATION Yuma, Ariz -- The Department of Defense estimates 448,000 smokers, or 32 percent of the active duty force, incur about $530 million a year in extra health expenses and $345 million in expenses for lost productivity attributed to smoking.The Marine Corps has the highest percentage of tobacco use among the military branches.
Today is a prime time to kick the habit, during the Great American
Smoke-out for all sailors and Marines across the nation.
The Great American Smoke-out is recognized nationwide as a day dedicated to promote smoking cessation. Every year millions of smokers make plans to quit smoking for 24 hours on the third Thursday of November, according to www-nehc.med.navy.mil.
“The objective is to get Marines to quit smoking for 24 hours with the hopes they will continue the cessation,” said Tara Hawkins, Semper Fit personal trainer and health fair coordinator.
Semper Fit will have a smoking cessation stand at the health fair today, to promote and get the word out about the Great American Smoke out and provide information about quitting.
The Marine Corps spends $99 million annually to make up for illness and loss of productivity
attributed to smoking.“When a smoker takes a five minute break every hour that is 45 minutes per day without productivity,” said Hawkins. “This also puts a lot of stress on the non-smoker.”
Hawkins explained that smoking deteriorates the combat readiness of the Marine Corps by decreasing endurance, hand-eye coordination and night-vision capabilities.
The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society also offers smoking cessation classes on the second Tuesday of every month here for those who wish to quit the habit.“I’ve been a recovering smoker for the past seven and a half years,” said Paula Snook, visiting nurse for the NMCRS.
“It is not easy, but we provide you with the tools to make it happen.” The idea for the Great American
Smoke out was started in Minnesota in the early 70’s by Lynn Smith, the publisher of the Monticello times of Minnesota, and spread throughout the nation until 1977 when the American Cancer Society began sponsoring the observance day.