NOVEMBER 1, 2016, FALLS CHURCH, Va. (NNS) – Navy Medicine is encouraging Sailors and Marines to quit tobacco during tobacco cessation month, along with their families, starting Nov. 1.
Throughout the month, Navy Medicine will provide Sailors, Marines and their families with information and tools to understand the health risks of prolonged tobacco use and available treatment options to quit.
“Our number one priority is keeping Sailors, Marines and their families healthy, ready and on the job,” said Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). “More so than ever before, it’s paramount we maintain our health and readiness, today and tomorrow.”
According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally. Prolonged tobacco users are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke and lung cancer, but quitting tobacco provides immediate health benefits.
“It is never too late to quit and there are many positive benefits over the short and long term,” said Dr. Mark Long, public health educator, BUMED. “Within 20 minutes of quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drops.”
Navy Medicine is dedicated to helping Sailors, Marines and their families quit tobacco.
All Navy Medicine military treatment facilities have tobacco cessation services including counseling, medication and self-help tools. Tobacco cessation medications are also made available on ships and at Marine Corps battalions to provide treatment around the globe.
During tobacco cessation month and in support of tobacco-free living, Navy Medicine will recognize the Great American Smoke Out on Nov. 17. However, November isn’t the only time to quit tobacco. Navy Medicine encourages Sailors and Marines to quit tobacco year-round.
“There is no safe tobacco product and no safe level of use,” Long said. “That is why it’s so important to provide tobacco users who are ready to quit with the tools and resources they need to be successful.”
Sailors and Marines can find updated information and resources on how to quit tobacco on the Navy and Marine Corps tobacco free webpage.
Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 personnel that provides health care support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, their families and veterans in high operational tempo environments at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world.