Implementation for policy governing tobacco use on Offutt set for June 15 Published June 13, 2013 By Col. Dave Roll 55th Medical Group OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- In accordance with the Air Force Surgeon General's new tobacco policy, Air Force Instruction 40-102, policy restricting use of tobacco products on the 55th Medical Group campus became effective on June 1 and the broader policy effecting use of tobacco products on Offutt AFB will go into effect June 15. For the first phase, the 55th MDG became "tobacco-free". This eliminated designated tobacco areas, and prohibits the use of all tobacco products at Ehrling Bergquist Clinic, the Satellite Pharmacy and flight medicine operations in Fairchild Hall. This designated ban includes the surrounding parking and grassy areas at those facilities as well as sidewalks along Capehart and 25th St. contiguous with the medical group campus. The Capehart chapel does not have a designated tobacco area and thus use of tobacco products is not allowed on its grounds. The second phase will take effect June 15 in addressing use of tobacco products on Offutt. Use of tobacco products to include but not limited to cigars, cigarettes, electronic-cigarettes, stem pipes, water pipes, hookahs and smokeless products that are chewed, dipped or sniffed, will be authorized only at approved designated tobacco areas. The final plan formally approved by Col. John T. Rauch, 55th Wing commander, results in expanding the number of officially designated tobacco areas from 23 to 31. The goal of AFI 40-102 is to minimize the adverse impact of tobacco use on health, mission readiness and unit performance. It is hoped that by minimizing areas where tobacco use is allowed, this will minimize the health risks to others from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. The policy applies to all service members and civilians who enter the base or who use its off-base facilities. Other notable standards in AFI 40-102 include: Prohibiting students of all Air Force formal training courses from using tobacco while in duty uniform Prohibiting use of tobacco products in: - All Air Force workplaces, Air Force vehicles and government owned vehicles. - All installation recreation facilities, including athletic complexes, golf courses and the Base Lake, except in approved designated tobacco areas. - All lodging guest rooms, lodging facilities, unaccompanied housing common areas and temporary lodging facility units. For those who would like to quit using tobacco the following assistance is available: The Offutt Health and Wellness Center, 294-5977, offers a number of tobacco cessation options, including formal tobacco cessation classes for Airmen who want to quit smoking. Off-base tobacco cessation options include Military One Source (1-800-342-9647, http://www.militaryonesource.mil), TRICARE's Smoking Quit Lines (866-244-6870, http://www.ucanquit2.org/tricarequitline.aspx), the Department of Defense website www.ucanquit2.org and the State Quit Line (1-800-784-8669, www.QuitNow.ne.gov). In addition, medical group primary care providers are always available to assist TRICARE eligible with their desire to quit using tobacco through active counseling and prescription treatment. AFI 40-102 is available for viewing at Air Force e-Publishing: http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/. Maps of approved DTAs can be viewed here: http://www.offutt.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130612-075.pdf.