HAWC challenges people to give up tobacco May 31 Published May 16, 2014 By Holly Logan-Arrington Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Health and Wellness Center hopes to get a lot of people to quit. Yearly, 170 countries around the world, including the U.S, join the World Health Organization in observing World No Tobacco Day May 31, to emphasize tobacco's public health threat and fatal consequences. Robins will join the rest of the Department of Defense in encouraging tobacco users or friends and family of tobacco users to pick up a free QUIT kit at the HAWC in Bldg. 827 now through May 30. Stuart Bapties, HAWC Flight commander, said people can sign a pledge to either quit using tobacco or to support someone in his or her effort to QUIT, even if just for that day. The HAWC has assorted posters and handouts that work centers and agencies can display in their work areas to show support throughout May. The Civilian Health Promotions staff and the HAWC will be at the Base Restaurant on May 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to register people who were unable to come to Bldg. 827 earlier in the month. Also, CHPS will bring pledge sign ups and QUIT kits to each of its briefings & other various locations throughout this month. Bapties said people with base access who want to make May 31 their quit for good date can register for the HAWC's free Tobacco Cessation classes. "TRICARE beneficiaries can obtain access to cessation aids and strategies to include any needed nicotine replacement therapy by attending the classes," he said. "DOD civilians will be assisted with obtaining the nicotine replacement therapy for free utilizing their Federal Employee Health Benefits with no co-pay." Bapties said the HAWC will help Robins' people successfully kick their habit. "No matter what obstacle or difficulty you face, the HAWC will work with you to find a solution to make your desire to quit become a reality," Bapties said. For more information on Tobacco Cessation options, call commercial 478-327-8480, DSN 497-8480 or visit www.ucanquit2.org. Tobacco Facts -Tobacco kills nearly 6 million people each year. More than five million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600,000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. Unless the current tide is reversed, the annual death toll is projected to rise to more than eight million by 2030. -In adults, second-hand smoke causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer. In infants, it causes sudden death. In pregnant women, it causes low birth weight.