Photo By Staff Sgt. John Suleski | The AS-4400 fitness center aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River hosted a Great...... read more read more
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NEW RIVER, N.C. - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 440,000 people die every year from tobacco-related causes, including second-hand smoke. The life expectancy of smokers is approximately 10 years shorter than non-smokers.
For a healthier life, smokers are encouraged to quit their tobacco habit.
Smokers who want to quit have alternatives to giving in to their urges to light up cigarettes. The AS-4400 fitness center aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River hosted an annual Great American Smokeout event, Nov. 21, to raise awareness about the harmful effects of smoking and various healthy alternatives.
Verna Richardson, fitness center aerobics supervisor, said she coordinated the event in an effort to help Marines and Sailors, as well as their families, lead healthier lives.
According to http://smokefree.gov/, tobacco affects nearly every organ in the body, either immediately or with long-term use. Smoking damages the lungs’ abilities to exchange oxygen and fight infection.
Nicotine also stresses the heart and can lead to cardiovascular disease.
Richardson said smoking does not just affect the smoker. Second-hand smoke can harm those who inhale it and can influence others to start using tobacco. To prevent others from inadvertently coming to harm, Richardson said the best option is to quit and for non-smokers to not try it.
The event coordinator said there are many other activities that can be done instead of using tobacco.
“How many times have you seen Marines go smoke every 15 minutes when they could be doing something healthier?” said Richardson.
As an example of a healthy alternative, the event featured two hours of line dancing led by the fitness center’s aerobics instructors. Other activities, including yoga and running, can be done when a craving hits.
Smoking cessation leads lifelong rewards, according to http://smokefree.gov/. Within 20 minutes, blood pressure and heart rate goes down. After three months, circulation and lung function improves. In five years, the risk of cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and throat are cut in half. At the 15-year mark, the risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker’s.
The Health Promotion and Wellness Department of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune handed out pamphlets about smoking cessation and the risks of tobacco use.
Cpl. Leighton Thompson, Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 2 aviation supply Marine, said he picked up several of the hand-outs even though he is not a smoker. He said he will take the information back to his Marines to better educate them about the risks of smoking.
“A Marine’s body is a weapon,” said Thompson. “But, what you put into your body is what you get. As Marines, we are America’s defenders and there is a high expectation of us to be the best.”
| Date Taken: | 11.27.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.27.2013 11:50 |
| Story ID: | 117474 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 73 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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