thedrifter
09-13-09, 08:05 AM
Tobacco Cessation classes help Marines kick habit
9/11/2009 By Lance Cpl. Manuel F. Guerrero , Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Community Services is lending service memebers struggling with an addiction to tobacco a helping hand with Tobacco Cessation classes.
The classes are on the first Tuesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Semper Fit Center aboard the air station. About a dozen service members attend the free, three-step classes each month.
Many service members believe they can stop smoking cold turkey, but it takes preparation before they can take that step, commented Julie Carlson, health and promotion director for MCCS. The instructors take a Marine Corps approach to helping service members kick the habit.
“The Marine Corps does a great job of mentally preparing its troops for deployment by doing workups and knowing everything about the mission This class serves the same purpose in mentally preparing Marines to quit smoking,” said Carlson, who runs the classes. “Service members have a better success rate if they go through the classes.”
Service members who quit smoking have more energy and are healthier in the long term, commented Julie Burks, a MCCS Semper Fit dietitian.
Not only can quitting smoking improve service members’ health, it can help keep more money in their wallets.
“During the classes we talk about the price of cigarettes and how much they could save,” said Carlson. “We make them take some money and pretend it’s for cigarettes, after a couple of months they can spend it on themselves if they have not smoked.”
After the first class, instructors see if participants are ready to quit. During the second class, service members receive medication to assist their progress.
Those attempting to quit for the first time receive nicotine patches and a prescription. Smokers who have previously attempted to quit receive a more powerful prescription.
“The medication does not do all the work, it’s a lot of personal hard work and dedication,” said Carlson. “It’s mind over matter, and they have to really want to quit.”
For more information on how to quit smoking, service members can contact Carlson at 858-577-1331.
Succumbing to the temptation of smoking may be easy, stepping up and quitting is the hard part. The classes can help service members turn the corner in the battle against tobacco use.
Ellie
9/11/2009 By Lance Cpl. Manuel F. Guerrero , Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Community Services is lending service memebers struggling with an addiction to tobacco a helping hand with Tobacco Cessation classes.
The classes are on the first Tuesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Semper Fit Center aboard the air station. About a dozen service members attend the free, three-step classes each month.
Many service members believe they can stop smoking cold turkey, but it takes preparation before they can take that step, commented Julie Carlson, health and promotion director for MCCS. The instructors take a Marine Corps approach to helping service members kick the habit.
“The Marine Corps does a great job of mentally preparing its troops for deployment by doing workups and knowing everything about the mission This class serves the same purpose in mentally preparing Marines to quit smoking,” said Carlson, who runs the classes. “Service members have a better success rate if they go through the classes.”
Service members who quit smoking have more energy and are healthier in the long term, commented Julie Burks, a MCCS Semper Fit dietitian.
Not only can quitting smoking improve service members’ health, it can help keep more money in their wallets.
“During the classes we talk about the price of cigarettes and how much they could save,” said Carlson. “We make them take some money and pretend it’s for cigarettes, after a couple of months they can spend it on themselves if they have not smoked.”
After the first class, instructors see if participants are ready to quit. During the second class, service members receive medication to assist their progress.
Those attempting to quit for the first time receive nicotine patches and a prescription. Smokers who have previously attempted to quit receive a more powerful prescription.
“The medication does not do all the work, it’s a lot of personal hard work and dedication,” said Carlson. “It’s mind over matter, and they have to really want to quit.”
For more information on how to quit smoking, service members can contact Carlson at 858-577-1331.
Succumbing to the temptation of smoking may be easy, stepping up and quitting is the hard part. The classes can help service members turn the corner in the battle against tobacco use.
Ellie