3rd Herd stomps tobacco

Published Dec. 4, 2009
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- No one can explain it. Since January, the number of tobacco users within the 3rd Combat Communications Group has significantly decreased.

Statistics from the Health and Wellness Center show five squadrons were affected and the greatest drop occurred in the 34th Combat Communications Squadron. It had a 7.1 percent decrease in usage.

"The 3rd Herd is leading the charge for the entire base," said Col. Allen Jamerson, 72nd Air Base Wing and installation commander. "As installation commander, I am proud of their go-getter efforts. We can all consider them role models for how to eliminate harmful smoke from our lives."

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Ferguson, 3rd Herd superintendent, said the change in culture can be attributed to several factors. But citing a specific reason could be nearly impossible as there weren't any official incentive programs going on at the time, and quitting is often done for personal reasons.

"I'm hard-pressed to put my finger on the one item that causes us to have such a significant drop in the tobacco-use rate," said Chief Ferguson. "But to me, first sergeants are definitely playing a large role in it, and of course we are heavily involved in physical fitness."

Master Sgt. Kavina Agnew, a first sergeant in the 32nd Combat Communications Squadron, which had the second highest drop in tobacco use at 6.7 percent, said she uses good-natured needling to deter her troops.

"I think we have a healthy competition in the 32nd," she said. "We talk a lot of smack. When I came in six months ago, I teased them and said 'I'm old enough to be your mom, c'mon, I'm going to beat you,' and they were not going to let their female first sergeant beat them in a mile-and-a-half run."

Senior Airman Matthew Turner is one of the "quitters" in Sergeant Agnew's squadron. But, he credits "improving his health" as the main reason behind breaking a nine-year smoking addiction. The Airman quit smoking this fall.

"I could never breathe right when I woke up in the morning, or when I'd have to do [physical training] three times a week," said Airman Turner, who blames peer pressure as the reason why he started. "I think a lot has changed when it comes to tobacco and I think that awareness has increased. Everyone wants to be healthier and in better shape."

Airman Turner said he took Chantix, a non-nicotine prescription medicine, and attended a Tinker program in association with the American Lung Association.

Tinker offers three programs for tobacco cessation. Military beneficiaries seen at the 72nd Medical Group can begin by calling the American Lung Association Quitline without classes or orientation consult. The HAWC offers tobacco cessation classes for Department of Defense civilians and military beneficiaries' with off-base providers, which educate attendees on how to quit and how to obtain free medications, such as Chantix, Zyban or nicotine patches. Enrollees to the 72nd MDG can attend but it is not mandatory to participate in the program.

Classes are typically held at 1 p.m. twice a month in the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group conference room 1. Military beneficiaries with off-base providers also have the option of telephone consults in lieu of class attendance to begin the tobacco cessation program.

"The 3rd Herd has proven we can support one another and help create a culture change," said Karen Blackwell, Health Promotions Flight Chief for the 72nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron. "We can impact the mission in a very positive way by supporting those who want to quit tobacco usage. The 3rd Herd had an environment that in the past fostered tobacco use and turned it around through their leadership and peer-to-peer support."

The 33rd Combat Communications Squadron placed third in decrease of tobacco use with 4.9 percent. The 3rd Combat Communications Support Squadron and 31st Combat Communications Squadron round out fourth and fifth place with 1.7 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.

For more information about the HAWC's cessation programs, call 734-5505 or 734-5506. Active duty and military beneficiaries with on-base providers can call 1-877-695-7848 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday to start an American Lung Association program.