Stennis supports the Smokeout

AT SEA

11.15.2012

Courtesy Story

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

Story by Seaman Daniel Schumacher

ARABIAN SEA - Sailors aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) participated in the Great American Smokeout Nov. 15 in support of Tobacco Prevention and Cessation month.

The Great American Smokeout, organized by the American Cancer Society, is a nationwide event held on the third Thursday of November that encourages men and women to live healthier lives by making a plan to quit smoking.

Stennis Medical Department set up booths on the mess decks to provide information throughout the day on the negative effects of smoking, the necessary paperwork to participate in the tobacco cessation programs and the available medical resources aboard the Stennis.

“The Stennis health promotion program and Medical Department use the Great American Smokeout as an opportunity to inform Sailors of the health risks of tobacco use as well as cessation resources Stennis provides for them,” said Stennis health promotion and wellness coordinator Lt. Carlos Chavarria.

Sailors who want to quit smoking don’t have to do it alone. Stennis’ Medical Department provides tobacco cessation counseling and medicinal aides such as nicotine patches and tobacco cessation medications. They also offer a health promotion program aimed at teaching sailors how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. All of the tobacco cessation aides offered by Stennis are free of charge.

“I quit smoking two years ago when my wife was pregnant with my daughter,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Marshall Button, from Port Orchard, Wash. “(One of my co-workers) referred me to a tobacco cessation program where I was prescribed Chantix, a tobacco cessation pill. Within a month, I could resist the urge to smoke without the help of medication.”

According to a DOD survey from May-July 2008, 37 percent of Marines and 31 percent of sailors smoke cigarettes. Twenty-two percent of Marines and 10 percent of sailors regularly use smokeless tobacco.

“Smoking can lead to any number of medical problems,” said tobacco cessation counselor Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Katy Jones, from St. Louis, Mo. “You’re not just hurting yourself, you’re hurting the ones who care about you too.”

The Great American Smokeout started on Nov. 18, 1976, when the California Division of the American Cancer Society persuaded nearly one million smokers to quit for the day. The event has since spread throughout the entire nation and is supported by U.S. military commands around the world.

“I have wanted to quit smoking for months now,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Alexander Syms, from Savannah, Ga. “I decided the Great American Smokeout will be the day I finally give up cigarettes.”

The John C. Stennis Strike Group, consisting of Stennis, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) are forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet to strengthen regional partnerships, sustain maritime security, and support combatant commander requirements for assets in the area.

For more information on the Stennis’ Great American Smokeout, please visit www.cancer.org/smokeout. For more information on John C. Stennis Strike Group, please visit www.stennis.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2012
• Date Posted: 11.17.2012 02:57
• Story ID: 97984
• Location: AT SEA
• Hometown: PORT ORCHARD, WA, US
• Hometown: SAVANNAH, GA, US
• Hometown: ST. LOUIS, MO, US