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Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms Tobacco Free Campus Initiative. What does it mean to me?. What is the tobacco free campus initiative?.
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Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms Tobacco Free Campus Initiative What does it mean to me? NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
What is the tobacco free campus initiative? • The Surgeon General of the US Navy, Vice Admiral Robinson, has challenged Navy Medicine to lead the way by example by creating tobacco free hospitals and clinics. • To this end: • Active Duty Navy medicine staff will not be allowed to use tobacco while on duty, in uniform or while traveling on Navy Medicine business • Visitors to the hospital, AMCC or branch clinics will not be allowed to use tobacco products while on medical property NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
Why have a tobacco free campus? • Tobacco use is the leading cause of death and disability in the US. • Tobacco use causes cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness, diabetes, infertility and a wide range of disabling conditions. • Tobacco use is one of the leading detractors from combat readiness. • Tobacco use impacts healing of injuries, heat stroke, night blindness, PTSD, etc. NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
This chart is the US civilian population cause of death based on exposure. • Before dippers think that their risk is so much smaller than smokers - in the civilian world only ~3% of tobacco users are dippers. • In the military world, at least half of all tobacco users are dippers and many tobacco users both smoke and dip. NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
Tobacco and the Warfighter • Decreased ability to deal with stress • Decreased fine motor coordination • Decreased stamina • More heel blistering • Decreased Night Vision (by as much as 50%) • Double the risk of PTSD • Increased need for water • Worsening of hearing loss • Decreased lung capacity • Decreased wound healing • Increased injuries • Decreased mental acuity NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
Tobacco use in combat makes you a target – both from the lit tobacco product and the puddle of spit. • A puddle of spit can be seen on the ground for several minutes - allowing your movements to be tracked. Thermal IR image of a lit cigarette butt NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
When will it take effect? • Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, Adult Medical Care Clinic, Branch Clinic China Lake & Branch Clinic Bridgeport will become tobacco free campus on January 1, 2010. • From that point forward, there will be no tobacco use on NHTP governed property. NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
Where will it be instituted? • Tobacco free campus will include all buildings that are medical in nature. • Campus is defined as “any property or non-residential building that is owned, operated, maintained or leased by NHTP to include all roads, parking lots and sidewalks on NHTP, AMCC, China Lake and Bridgeport Clinics grounds”. NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
How will it be instituted? • Beginning November 2009: • Signage will be in place announcing the tobacco free campus status of all NHTP governed property. • Beginning January 2010: • All ash cans will be removed from the property. • Tobacco use areas will be moved as far off the medical property as possible without impacting the training needs of MCAGCC, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake & Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center. NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil
Where can I get help quitting tobacco? • AD Navy & all civilian hospital & clinic staff: • Schedule an appointment in the OCC Health clinic Tuesday and Thursday afternoons starting in August and additional times by appointment. • Health Promotions will then see you at the same time for brief, one on one counseling and follow up. • Active Duty Marines: • Contact Health Promotion & Wellness (760-830-2814) for brief, one on one counseling and follow up. You will then be sent to your BAS, etc for the meds. • Family members and retirees: • Make an appointment with your provider for the meds. You will then be put into contact with Health Promotions for further help and follow up. NHTP-tobaccofree@med.navy.mil