TOP STORY >> Base snuffs 83 smoking areas

By 2nd Lt. Amanda Porter
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Base officials have approved a plan to help curb smoking and decrease tobacco use across the installation.

Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., is decreasing the number of designated tobacco areas on base from 172 to 89 beginning Monday through August 30. The changeover process has been approved for execution in accordance with new guidance, Air Force Instruction 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force.

Base Airmen were notified July 10 on the basics of the changes, which are founded in the first section of the new guidance.

According to AFI 40-102, the goal is a tobacco-free Air Force…Commanders and all Airmen should strive for tobacco-free Air Force installations and decrease supportive environments for tobacco use.

With figures reaching over 26 percent, Little Rock Air Force Base currently has the highest percentage of reported tobacco users in Air Mobility Command, also topping the Air Force’s total average of nearly 20 percent.

“This is about culture change, and that’s what it’s going to take to make this work,” said Lt. Col. Edward Rhodes, 19th Medical Support Squadron commander. “As young Airmen, we used to hear people say, ‘Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.’ We’re trying to reverse that trend.”
There have been incremental applications of AFI 40-102 on base in the last year and half. The first implementation converted the entire medical group campus to a smoke-free area, and reducing smoking on base as a whole is the next step, said Rhodes.

“We know 50,000 people die each year from secondhand smoke,” said Rhodes. “This is not just about the effect on smokers but the people who are also breathing that air.”

The 19th Civil Engineer Squadron is marking each new smoking area through August 30. These smoking areas will consist of a new sign, a single butt can and an area of pre-existing pavement.

Each impacted squadron, as well as their facility managers, will be notified of the placement of new designated tobacco areas adjacent to their location. Many facilities will be required to share these smoking areas with other facilities.  

During the placement of the new smoking areas, squadron leadership and facility managers will be provided maps of where to locate the butt cans, a letter stating their responsibilities in maintaining the areas and the actual sign and butt can. 

Improvised smoking areas in unauthorized locations will also be removed during this time.  The use of any tobacco outside of these designated areas should be reported through respective chains of command.

“We, as a government, spend more money on healthcare and smoking-related illnesses than anything else,” said Rhodes. “Healthcare reform that was passed focuses in on preventative health. If we’re able to prevent people from being sick, it’s less expensive than treating their illnesses. We know that smoking contributes to your overall health. We’re trying to discourage it.”

The third phase for implementation of AFI 40-102 will entail changes in the sale of tobacco on base. The commissary has already changed the way it advertises tobacco. The medical group is now looking at how tobacco is marketed across the installation, said Rhodes.
“We know even as the DTA’s are up it’s going to take being pleasantly persistent in reminding people we are a tobacco-free installation,” said Rhodes. “It’s going to take reminding people of this new policy to make it worthwhile.”

For those looking to kick the habit, the Health and Wellness Center on base holds tobacco cessation classes every Thursday from 1 to 2:45 p.m. and offers counseling support through classes, web or telephone. Replacement patches for Chantix, Zyban and Nicotine are available to those eligible including active duty, spouses and retirees. To sign up, contact the HAWC at 501-987-7288.