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New year brings new tools to quit tobacco

  • Published
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) --  Department of Defense and Tricare officials are offering new innovative online tools to help servicemembers keep their New Year's resolutions to quit tobacco.

The DOD-sponsored educational campaign, Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone Proud, is expanding its interactive Web site. Users can now create a blog when they register on the site to share their experiences with family and friends and sign an electronic "I Resolve to Quit" pledge on the Bulletin Board to publicly announce their resolution to become tobacco free.

Users also will have access to a customizable Quit Calendar after Jan. 4 to record milestones and track progress. The expanded networking capabilities allow users to share ideas, tips and advice with fellow servicemembers, as well as family and friends.

"Giving up tobacco is a challenge, but a challenge that the men and women of the military have the strength and determination to overcome," said Capt. David Arday, M.D., M.P.H., a U.S. Public Health Service officer and chairman of the DOD Alcohol and Tobacco Advisory Committee. "We encourage them to make 2009 the year to start a healthier lifestyle. The online tools are there to support you in keeping your New Year's resolution," he added.

Deciding to quit tobacco is the first step, but becoming tobacco free may take more than one try. On average, it takes 11 attempts before a person can quit tobacco for good. Motivation and support are key factors in giving up tobacco products. Studies show that if a person attempts to quit with a friend, he or she is 36 percent more likely to remain smoke free.

The Web site allows servicemembers to get the support they need to quit from family and friends, no matter where they live. Studies show that quitters who seek counseling and support increase their chances of remaining quit to 15.8 percent, as compared to only 10.8 percent for those who do not seek counseling.

Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone Proud is aimed at supporting enlisted active-duty military personnel in their efforts to quit tobacco. DOD officials urge servicemembers to log on and take advantage of the Web site to increase their chances of becoming tobacco free.

The new features build on the interactive support tools already available on the Web site. Service members can listen to podcasts, chat anonymously with a trained tobacco Cessation Coach, browse research articles, locate local cessation programs, calculate how much money they'll save when they quit tobacco and create personalized quit plans.
Individuals who want to help someone they know quit tobacco can visit the Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone Proud Web site to find information on giving up tobacco, send motivational e-cards and view their friend's and/or family member's progress to support them in reaching their goals.