Great American Smokeout!

TRICARE Service Members Asked to Walk Away from Tobacco for a Day.

Falls Church, Va.—The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) encourages its military personnel−both active duty and retired−and their families to turn their backs on tobacco and walk away for a day on November 17 for this year’s Great American Smokeout (GASO). GASO is the American Cancer Society’s nationally recognized day that urges smokers to quit tobacco for 24 hours.

            “It’s just one day…but, for a smoker, it could be the most important day of his or her life,” said CDR Aileen Buckler, M.D., M.P.H., U.S. Public Health Service officer, and chairman of the DoD Alcohol and Tobacco Advisory Committee. “For many, GASO becomes the first day of a lifetime free from tobacco.”

            Those wanting to join GASO can find support through several TRICARE® and DoD resources. All non-Medicare eligible beneficiaries can receive assistance with smoking cessation through TRICARE’s toll-free Smoking Quitline. Toll-free telephone lines are available in each TRICARE region, offering support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

            DoD’s tobacco cessation campaign website (www.ucanquit2.org) provides comprehensive tools and support needed to assist individuals who are ready to quit smoking. Currently, the website includes a special GASO section with links to all its quit tools. Free GASO promotional materials are available for health professionals and other installation leaders to order or download.
 
            One of the featured tools on the website is Train2Quit, an online support system that uses interactive components such as self-assessment questionnaires, quizzes and other activities. Individuals can create a customizable quit plan with a calendar to track progress and learn how to beat cravings, overcome weight gain and cope with the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

            Personal quit coaches are available on the website seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to answer questions about quitting smoking and how to stay tobacco-free. A savings calculator provides motivation by showing how much extra cash is saved and accumulated over time.

            Visitors to the site can play fun games like Texas Hold ‘Em, participate in blogs for peer support and get links to social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. There is also medication information, news articles, podcasts and more