49th Medical Group is tobacco-free

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Colin Cates
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 49th Medical Group campus will be a tobacco-free area, to include both smoking and non-smoking forms of tobacco, effective July 1.

The goal of a tobacco-free medical treatment facility is to improve the health and wellness of the group's employees and clients, and to exemplify the group's role as disease prevention champions at Holloman AFB, Col. Leigh Swanson, 49th Medical Group commander, said in a memorandum.

This new policy will further the 49th MDG disease prevention efforts by lending a level of credibility that can only be achieved when words are consistent with actions, said Swanson.

The medical group campus includes 12 buildings, the parking lots, and 250 feet around the medical facilities.

Air Force Instruction 40-102, which addresses tobacco use in the Air Force, changed earlier this year in March, resulting in the removal of designated smoking areas and the implementation of signs stating that the areas are tobacco free.

To support this initiative, the Health and Wellness Center here will provide valuable resources, said Swanson.

The HAWC offers tobacco cessation classes for Airmen who are looking for help to quit smoking, along with Military One Source and a program called State Quit Line that offers health coaches for people to talk to.

"Holloman AFB is one of the bases that are leading the way to make the changes necessary due to the new policy," said Shannan Bergtholdt, health promotion program manager.

Since Gen. Philip Breedlove, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, released a letter last year indicating that the Air Force was moving in this direction, Holloman AFB has been taking steps to be ready for the new AFI policy by coordinating with the appropriate agencies, said Bergtholdt.

The concept is that the medical group is creating an environment that cultivates a
healthier atmosphere and does not allow Airmen an opportunity for unhealthy behaviors.

"This policy will serve as a model to promote healthy lifestyles, increase productivity in the workplace, and establish the 49th MDG as the role model to our beneficiary population," said Swanson.

For information about tobacco cessation and smoking prevention resources, contact the HAWC at (575) 572-5785. The number for State Quit Line New Mexico is 1 (800) 784-8669.