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Start your spring smoke free

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Harrison Withrow
  • 434 ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  For smokers wanting to kick the habit, help is just a click away.

UCanQuit2.org is an educational campaign for the U.S. military, sponsored by the Department of Defense. It offers a wide range of services, such as information about quitting, personalized plans, and access to expert coaches who can help users through the process of breaking their addiction.

“Smoking is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, so it’s important that people know these programs exist,” said Arletta Eldridge-Thompson, Grissom’s exercise physiologist. “UCanQuit2 is a great starting point for anyone trying to quit, and we want to make sure everyone knows that’s out there for them.”

Additionally, federal employees have access to health benefits such as counseling sessions, by phone or in person, and prescription medication designed to ease the process of ending tobacco addiction.

“Healthcare costs increase dramatically when somebody is a smoker, so it’s mutually beneficial for the government to cover the cost of helping federal employees quit,” said Eldridge-Thompson.

In 2014, it was estimated that tobacco use cost the Department of Defense $1.6 billion annually in medical costs and lost work time.

“We’re not trying to force this on anyone, but if somebody is ready to make a change, we’re ready to offer support every step of the way,” she said. “Even if they just want to know what’s out there, I would highly encourage them to reach out to us so we can get them the information they need.”

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer