Westover aims toward tobacco-free goal

  • Published
  • By SrA. Alexander Brown
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Westover is putting new Air Force regulations into effect that are limiting and moving designated smoking areas with the goal of making this a tobacco-free base.

"The purpose of this new regulation is to promote health and to decrease the amount of smoking," said Col. Stanley Chartoff, 439th Aerospace Medical Squadron commander.

Air Force Instruction 140-102 outlines guidelines for designated smoking areas and lists where tobacco is prohibited, such as in recreational areas, including the golf course and softball fields. All current designated smoking areas will be moved or removed if closer than 250 feet from buildings.

The Air Force also has the goal to educate and assist smokers as to the benefits of quitting smoking.

Col. Chartoff said his staff at the AMDS will be scheduling classes to educate Airmen on the multitude of health problems that smoking can cause. Diseases include emphysema, COPD, lung cancer, bladder cancer, oral cavities, heart disease, stroke and even asthma in children whose parents smoke.

These medical issues are avoidable by quitting and that is exactly what MSgt. Ellen T. Moore of the 42nd Aerial Port Squadron did.

It all began when MSgt. Moore's son Brendon asked her to chaperone a school field trip, but once she saw that she would not be able to smoke for six hours, she lied to her son, saying she couldn't go.

"I knew I couldn't go six hours without a cigarette," said MSgt. Moore. "So I lied to my son to get out of the field trip. I was so embarrassed that I knew this would be my first step to quitting."

The first step she took was to clean out her whole house removing all tobacco related products. Once everything was cleaned and deodorized, she called a hypnotist.

"I heard his advertisement on the radio and could tell from the sound of his (the hypnotist) voice he had what it takes," MSgt. Moore said.

The hypnotist helped her to separate the trigger that people develop when they smoke, for example smoking every time you drive, drink coffee or after meals.

Once MSgt. Moore quit, her body began to recover. The American Lung Association states within eight hours of your last cigarette, your carbon monoxide levels drop to normal and your oxygen level in your blood returns to normal. After two to three weeks lung function increases up to 30 percent and circulation improves. After three to nine months, your digestive system returns to normal and your lung's cilia regain the ability to clean your lungs and fight infections.

MSgt. Moore quickly noticed many changes after she quit.

"I love it, I love it," she said. "I will never touch one again. My breathing has improved, my attitude has improved. Cigarettes use to own me, I was dragging them around like a ball and chain."

Another benefit of quitting is the financial impact. She saves about $2,444 a year.

"When I do feel like slipping I will take a deep breath and say 2444 over and over till the feeling goes away."

For Airmen looking to kick the habit there are many organizations including the American Lung Association, which was on base during the July UTA. Ann Ottalagana, Manager of Health Promotion from American Lung Association, said that if there is enough interest at Westover they will look into setting up a class on base.

"Once you are ready to quit, clean and deodorize your living area," said MSgt. Moore. "Get rid of any paraphernalia, and then just think positive."

With the new smoking regulation that will be implemented soon MSgt. Moore said it will be annoying at first (as a smoker) but if you are going to quit, this is the incentive you will need.

For more information about designated smoking areass at Westover, please contact Wayne Williams, base cvil eEngineer, at 413-557-3813. For more information about quitting smoking call 1-800-LUNG-USA.