USS Barry Promotes Tobacco Cessation during Great Barry Smokeout

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4 Public Affairs

USS BARRY, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Barry (DDG 52) made an attempt to give up the use of tobacco products during the Great Barry Smokeout (GBSO) March 17.

GBSO is a spin off of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout (GASO), which is held across America, and designed to encourage tobacco users to kick the habit.

According to a 2008 Department of Defense survey of health related behaviors, nearly 31 percent of Sailors smoke cigarettes.

Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Young said the term "smokeout" seems to confuse some people.

"It's a catchy title, but it's a little misleading,"

said Young. "I just want to make sure that people know that this initiative, whether on Barry or elsewhere, focuses on all tobacco products not just smoking. When you hear the Great American Smoke-out you automatically think about people just quitting smoking."

Yeoman Seaman Michael Rawles said GBSO is a good way to motivate Sailors and give them the extra push they need to quit.

"I figured if I quit for one day, then why not two, three, four and so on," said Rawles. "In my experience, people do things better when they have a challenge."

Fifty-five percent of Barry's tobacco users participated in the GBSO, and nearly half of the participants enrolled into a tobacco cessation program and decided to quit permanently.

"When I was working out the other day I just didn't feel very good," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Damian Landreth. "I decided it's time to make self improvements, and quitting smoking is my first step in the process."

There are many resources available to tobacco users interested in quitting, including military treatment facilities and clinics that offer tobacco cessation programs and support groups.

Barry is on a routine deployment conducting maritime security operations in U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

Navy Exposes Chewing Tobacco Dangers

By Douglas H. Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The tobacco cessation facilitator, dental services and health promotion personnel from Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB), Wash., teamed up to actively promote the Great American Spit Out (GASPO) Feb. 24.

The event was part of "Quit Tobacco — Make Everyone Proud," an ongoing DoD educational campaign tailored specifically for U.S. military members to give up tobacco products.

"Chewing tobacco is a dangerous concept with definite health risks," said Patrick W. Graves, NHB's tobacco cessation facilitator. "When a person puts chewing tobacco into their mouth, they are instantly exposed to significant dangers such as oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophagus cancer, stomach cancer and colon cancer. A dip of chew has 28 cancer-causing carcinogens."

According to Graves, chewing tobacco is a super concentrated form of nicotine, equal to three and a half packs of cigarettes.

"That makes it all the more addictive," said Graves.

Data compiled by the DoD states that chewing tobacco is used by 19 percent of 18 to 24-year-old military males, approximately twice the national average. Chewing tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking because the body absorbs three to four times more nicotine, making it potentially more addictive than cigarettes.

"We have half a dozen staff members here at NHB who are in the process of quitting, and we're doing all we can to help them out," said Graves. "If you are a person with cardiac risk factors and have symptoms like recurrent chest pains, high blood pressure, recurring cough or shortness of breath, you might want to ask yourself that if you're holding out for the worst-case scenario, it's already happened. Chewing tobacco is subtle and slow."

Graves attests that getting the information out is only half the struggle because it's really up to each individual to control their actions.

"We might know more but due to our demographics, but we also tend to smoke and dip 35 to 50 percent more than our civilian counterparts," said Graves. "It's always been a cultural thing in the service, but that notion is gradually changing. The ironic thing about using chewing tobacco is that it's such a contradictory habit to a person putting in the effort to maintain their readiness, training, physical fitness and be on the top of their game. Dipping and chewing negates that and takes away from all the gains."

"Our partners in the dental community tend to see the impact of what chewing tobacco can do a lot earlier that I do," said Graves. "The hallmark is a pre-cancerous lesion, and our dentists and dental technicians are really good at recognizing any early warning signs."

"The big thing we stress is the bone loss that occurs by the front teeth and the gum disease and the cancers that chewing causes. The gums can't handle the irritation from the tobacco. Another thing we look for is cancer of the tongue caused from the carcinogen juices of the chewing tobacco," said Lt. Melanie Perry, a dentist assigned to Dental Health Clinic Bangor, Wash.

Using smokeless tobacco breaks down gum lines, stains teeth and is a prime source of halitosis, or bad breath, said Perry.

Active duty personnel get a dental exam at least once a year, which gives dentists the opportunity to track any potential wear and tear with a patient.

"A lot of times if we can show a patient the changes that chewing tobacco has caused it will help them quit. We can show a person if they might have cancer of the mouth or get a pre-cancerous lesion, such as leukoplakia, which is white patches that can turn into cancer. There's also gum disease that is caused when the gum is pulled away from the teeth where the tobacco has been held and won't grow back," said Perry.

"If the measuring stick for a person is that they will quit is if they get a pre-cancerous lesion, they might have already lost the battle," added Graves. "If anyone who chews begins to notice that they have a white patch in their mouth or receding gum lines, they need to contact their dentist immediately."

Health promotion staff also provided herbal-based and non-nicotine based chew as an alternative to chewing tobacco.

"We're actually going to order a supply of the herbal-based chew to have on hand at all times at our Bangor Dental Clinic," said Perry.

"We've also been hanging up posters and putting up flyers on why to quit to hopefully get those who use to at least think about not chewing," said Perry. "Everyone knows it's not good. Some people tend to think that if anything bad happens it will always happen to the other guy and not them and when dealing with a product that causes serious dental disease and cancer, that's really not the case."

Graves encourages anyone who is thinking of quitting cigarettes or chewing/smokeless tobacco to contact their primary care doctor or independent duty corpsman.

Troops Urged to Quit Smokeless Tobacco

From a Tricare News Release

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Feb. 10, 2011 – When the Defense Department weighs in on kissing and spitting, it’s with good reason -- two good reasons, in fact: love and health.

Using smokeless tobacco can pose a stinky, unsavory obstacle to sharing a kiss with a loved one, parent, child or sweetheart. It also may cause a slew of serious health problems. That’s why TRICARE wants military personnel to participate in the Great American Spit Out on Feb. 24, and kiss the spit goodbye for a day.

About 19 percent of 18- to 24-year-old men in the armed forces use smokeless tobacco -- that’s more than double the national rate. The DOD Quit Tobacco -- Make Everyone Proud campaign at www.ucanquit2.org is focusing on helping those who spit and chew tobacco to develop a personalized cessation plan.

“Many of our servicemen started using smokeless tobacco at a young age due to peer pressure and became addicted before realizing the negative effects it could have on their personal relationships and health,” said Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Aileen Buckler, a U.S. Public Health Service officer and chairman of the DOD Alcohol and Tobacco Advisory Committee.

Throughout the month of February the DOD website will host a special Great American Spit Out page, www.ucanquit2.org/facts/gaspo/, where service members can publicly post their pledge to quit.

Also on the website, Navy Capt. (Dr.) Larry Williams, public health emergency officer, will answer questions about smokeless tobacco. Installations planning cessation events will find ideas, an event registration page, pledge cards, and downloadable promotional materials.

Service members and their friends, families and other supporters are invited to join the event on Facebook at www.facebook/ucanquit2.org. Those planning to quit can get a “Kiss me, I’m Tobacco Free” badge to post on their Facebook page.

The website will showcase graphic photos of the devastating effects of surgery for oral cancer, which has been linked to smokeless tobacco use. Those who use smokeless tobacco are marked by bulging cheeks, gunk stuck in teeth, permanently discolored teeth, and spitting cups -- all universally unappealing. Visitors will also find hard-hitting facts that dispel the myth that smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking. For example, almost half of those who contract oral cancer die within five years, and one American dies from oral cancer every hour.

“Don’t let spitting and chewing get in the way of your personal relationships,” Buckler urged. “Take this opportunity to do something for yourself and those you love. Kiss smokeless tobacco goodbye and experience the benefits to your social life and health.”

Enrolling in the website’s comprehensive support system, Train2Quit, can be the first step in the journey to saying goodbye to smokeless tobacco. The system features interactive components such as quit tools, self-assessment questionnaires, and quizzes.

Service members can create a customized quit plan with a calendar to track progress and learn how to beat cravings, overcome weight gain and cope with nicotine withdrawal. The site also has personal quit coaches, available 24/7, to get answers to questions about becoming tobacco free.

Navy Medicine Goes Smoke Free

By Valerie A. Kremer, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) became a tobacco-free compound, Jan. 1, in time for the start of the new year.

The use of tobacco products, including all forms of smokeless tobacco are now strictly prohibited on the Potomac Annex property, including electronic nicotine delivery devices (e-cigarettes).

"E-cigarettes, which are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), are not an acceptable substitute for tobacco cessation," said Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr.

Robinson outlined guidance to all Navy medical personnel regarding the safety of e-cigarettes in policy memo 6200 dated Oct. 1, 2010.

"Those wishing to quit their tobacco use and wish to use medications should use FDA-approved nicotine replacement products such as nicotine gum, skin patches, lozenges, oral inhaled products, or nasal sprays," said Robinson. "These products are available to aid in a successful tobacco cessation program."

Leading up to the campus-wide smoking cessation, BUMED employees attended town hall meetings on the topic, which provided a variety of options and information to aid in quitting tobacco use.

During the past several months, several Navy Medicine facilities have gone smoke free, an action applauded by Robinson in alignment with establishing a fit and healthy force.

"As Navy health care providers, we can evoke positive and meaningful change through our own actions," said Robinson. "Implementation of tobacco-free environments sends a powerful and effective message encouraging our Sailors, Marines, retirees, family members, staff, and community to be healthy."

For more information on smoking cessation, go to the Naval Medical Public Health Center site at http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil or contact a smoking cessation program available at many Navy Medicine medical treatment facilities (MTFs).

Smoking Lamp to Extinguish Dec. 31 on Navy Subs

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2010 – The countdown to the new year is on, and with it, a ban on smoking below decks aboard Navy submarines.

Navy officials announced the new rule April 8, to take effect Navy-wide when the clock strikes midnight Dec. 31.

The ban was instituted to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke that puts them at risk of developing heart and lung disease, Vice Adm. John J. Donnelly, commander of Submarine Forces in Norfolk, Va., explained in a news release.

“Our sailors are our most important asset to accomplishing our missions,” Donnelly explained in announcing the new policy. “Recent testing has proven that, despite our atmosphere purification technology, there are unacceptable levels of secondhand smoke in the atmosphere of a submerged submarine. The only way to eliminate risk to our non-smoking sailors is to stop smoking aboard our submarines.”

The Navy has been preparing its submariner crews, about 40 percent that smokes, for the change. It offers smoking cessation programs and issues nicotine gum or patches to help sailors kick the habit. Navy officials have also taken steps to make lighting up less convenient, such as limiting smoking time and the number of sailors permitted into the boat’s nonsmoking area or “smoke pit” at any one time.

During a media visit aboard the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Rhode Island in August, crew members agreed that implementing the smoking ban would be tough.

“This is a very high-stress job,” Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Robert McCombs, head of the sub’s engineering department, told reporters. “We push our crew very hard every day, 12 to 18 hours a day, and smoking is how they relax. Some people are saying they don’t want to stay on subs because they can’t smoke.”

Some submarines extinguished their smoking lamps early, to correspond with deployment schedules or other significant events. USS Michigan, for example, instituted the smoking ban July 27 at 7:27 a.m. to correspond with its hull number, 727. The command's plan was for the sailors to quit while deployed, and then return home with a fresh start and plenty of support from their family and friends, Michigan’s senior enlisted personnel explained.

Among them was Command Master Chief Victor Smith, the blue crew’s command master chief.

“As a former smoker for more than 10 years, I understand the challenges of quitting smoking," Smith told Navy News Service. “It is extremely hard to stop when you are at sea. We want our sailors to be successful, so we decided to put the smoking lamp out during this mission cycle. The day we extinguished the smoking lamp onboard was a significant event in the lives of our sailors. I cannot think of a more appropriate day to start a new and healthier life than 727 day.”

USS Georgia, home ported in Kings Bay, Ga., implemented the new smoking ban Aug.15, while it was under way.

“Not being able to smoke onboard after December 31st will be difficult for some,” acknowledged Command Master Chief, Richard Rose, blue crew master chief, during a Navy News Service interview. “This change will be hard, but will be for the better in the long run. Promoting and building a healthier submarine force is the right thing to do for the sailors in the Navy today.”

Smoking To Be Extinguished On Submarines

From Commander, Submarine Forces Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR) has effected a policy April 8 banning smoking below decks aboard all U.S. Navy submarines.

The smoking ban, announced via naval message, will become effective no later than Dec. 31, 2010.

The impetus behind the change of policy is the health risks to non-smokers, specifically exposure to secondhand smoke.

"Our Sailors are our most important asset to accomplishing our missions. Recent testing has proven that, despite our atmosphere purification technology, there are unacceptable levels of secondhand smoke in the atmosphere of a submerged submarine. The only way to eliminate risk to our non-smoking Sailors is to stop smoking aboard our submarines," said Vice Adm. John J. Donnelly, COMSUBFOR.

According to a 2006 Surgeon General's report on involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke, there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke increase their risk of developing heart and lung disease.

Subsequent to the 2006 Surgeon General report, the Submarine Force chartered the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory to conduct a study on U.S. submarines. The study indicated that non-smoking Sailors were exposed to measurable levels of Environment Tobacco Smoke (ETS), also called secondhand smoke. The year-long study was conducted in 2009 on nine different submarines, including at least one from each class of submarines in the force.

In conjunction with the policy change, cessation assistance to Sailors is being offered. The program will incorporate education techniques and nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches and nicotine gum, to assist in kicking the smoking habit. In keeping with current submarine policy, drugs such as Zyban and Chantix are not authorized.

"To help smokers minimize the effects of quitting, nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum, will be readily available along with an extensive cessation training and support program on every boat. What we want to discourage is smokers turning to alternative methods of tobacco use such a chewing tobacco," said Capt. Mark Michaud, Submarine Force Atlantic surgeon.

"While submarine duty is a dynamic and demanding job, the Submarine Force is dedicated to mitigating unnecessary risks to our Sailors. Exposure to a harmful substance that is avoidable, such as secondhand smoke, is unfair to those who choose not to smoke," said Donnelly.