Buckley to celebrate The Great American Smokeout

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Quitters will find camaraderie and support Nov. 16 when thousands of Americans avoid tobacco use for the day or for good. 

For 30 years, more smokers have kicked the habit during the Great American Smokeout than any other day of the year.

This year the Buckley Health and Wellness Center will be sponsoring several Smokeout events. Active-duty military members and dependents who use tobacco products are invited to pick up free "Quit for a Day" kits. The kits will be available at the HAWC, Airmen and Family Readiness Center, or the Anshutz Outpatient Pavilion medical clinic on Nov. 15 and 16. The kits will contain information and various aids to help individuals make it through the day smoke free. 

"If people quit for a day, our hope is they'll realize they can quit for good", said Mrs. Eileen Duin, health educator at the HAWC.

The HAWC will also be offering a "Getting Ready to Quit" class Nov. 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. 

"The class is informational and designed to move individuals one-step closer to quitting" Duin said. "The class is very effective at moving individuals along the behavior change continuum. People know tobacco use causes disease so we don't spend a lot time talking about that. We take a novel approach and examine some of the myths related to quitting."

For more information on Buckley's tobacco cessation program, which is open to active duty and dependents, or to sign up for the "Getting Ready to Quit" class, call the HAWC at 720-847-5699.

Retirees and civilian employees can access free individualized phone counseling every day by calling the Colorado QuitLine at 1-800-639-QUIT. Although less effective than formal tobacco cessation programs, phone quitlines give smokers twice the chance of kicking the habit compared to going at it alone.

Topping the day's events will be a Smokeout 5K run/walk. Participation is open to all military and Department of Defense civilians. The event starts at 3 p.m. at the base jogging path (corner of Vail & Steamboat). For more information on Smokeout events call the HAWC.