Fighting the battle against tobacco addiction Published Nov. 13, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Alex Martinez 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- One by one, the group members arrive. The looks on their faces vary; some have confident smiles, and others have a look of desperation, of fear. They have something in common; they are all tormented by a deadly internal demon that feeds off their every craving. The demon's waiting for them to slip-up and come running back, but they meet every two weeks to support each other and make sure the demon doesn't succeed. Jo Hamsher, health and wellness center education program manager, conducts a tobacco cessation group for current and ex-tobacco users who battle their addictions. "How's everyone doing today?" Mrs. Hamsher asked the group enthusiastically. Mrs. Hamsher lost her parents to emphysema because they were both avid smokers for most of their lives. Their passing actually helped Mrs. Hamsher save lives. "I knew I was going to do something to help others quit," Mrs. Hamsher said. "Losing my parents is why I do what I do." The difference between the group's members can provide insight into how widespread and non-prejudice tobacco addiction is. "Over all the years I have smoked, there had never been a day I didn't smoke or even attempt to stop," said Stewart Edwards. Mr. Edwards, 64, quit smoking "cold-turkey" about six months ago. He had smoked everyday for 50 years and said that time doesn't include the 14 or 15 years his parents smoked around him. "Whether somebody quits smoking for a day or a year, it's still an accomplishment," Mrs. Hamsher said. "The addiction is very intense for tobacco users." As of September, 27.8 percent of Warren members use tobacco products, the second highest percentage in Air Force Space Command. Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco. Mrs. Hamsher said high stress levels, increased deployments, frequent missile field deployments and night shifts are major reasons why tobacco use is so high on Warren. Airmen who recently completed basic training and technical school are at high risk of beginning tobacco use possibly because they have been restricted for an extended period of time and take advantage of their new freedoms. "Tobacco use needs to be deglamourized," Mrs. Hamsher said. "Smokers should find other stress relievers or other reasons to take breaks, like taking a fresh-air break, going for a walk or finding any other healthy alternative to smoking." "In the mornings, I would go to my garage, drink my coffee and smoke," said Mary Lee, a group member. "Now I drink my coffee on my treadmill while I watch TV." Mrs. Lee had smoked for 37 years and quit 18 months ago. She has had two "slip-ups" since she quit. This is her sixth attempt to quit smoking, and she hopes it's the last. "When I quit this time, I wanted to take advantage of every possible [resource]," Mrs. Lee said as she pulls a pack of small straws and a nicotine inhaler from her hand bag. Mrs. Lee uses straws in place of cigarettes when she feels the urge to smoke. It's not uncommon for many tobacco users to attempt quitting several times. One group member said he lost count of how many times he has attempted to quit. Tempting situations or "triggers" are situations where ex-users experience cravings from smelling smoke or seeing others smoke. If they used to smoke when they would get in a car, go outside, drink coffee or wake up, it could trigger a relapse if they do these actions now. "I have fallen off the bike so many times, and all you can do is get back on and start riding again," Robert Papendorf said about his efforts to quit. The group teaches healthy alternatives to smoking and introduces the members to the newest and most effective medicines to aid tobacco cessation. For more information call Mrs. Hamsher at 773-4292.