Every third Thursday in November, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) takes pride in participating in the Great American Smokeout by providing information and resources to quit tobacco use.

Just like previous years, NMCP promoted Nov. 19, as the day tobacco users should make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit that day.

With the help of Navy Environmental Preventative Medicine Unit 2, NMCP staff, patients and guests were informed of the harmful effects cigarettes and smokeless tobacco has on the body, as well as the hazards of secondhand smoke.

The Wellness Department offered nutritional information to help keep "quitters" from overeating. The Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions organization also provided many tools that are available to help tobacco users quit and then challenged users to walk a mile, following a pre-determined route within the medical center as a reminder to maintain a healthy their exercise routine.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Leslee Davidson from NEPMU-2 spoke about the increased dangers of cancer that smokers and tobacco users face.

"Smoking can lead to lung cancer, mouth cancer and even bladder cancer," Davidson said.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women. About 87 percent of lung cancer deaths in men and 70 percent in women are thought to result from smoking.

"It's not just cigarettes either; cigars and pipes cause cancers too," Davidson said.

According to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW/AW) Ananda Stevenson, from NEPMU-2, having a strong support system can be one of the most beneficial tools when it comes to quitting tobacco.

"It makes all the difference if you're having a moment of weakness, and you have someone to turn to when you need it the most," Stevenson said.

Support systems can come in a variety of ways--family and friends, tobacco cessation classes and also medical providers.

The Wellness Department has tobacco cessation counselors who can screen potential candidates for classes and find the best option for each member to quit. Regardless of which method a tobacco user chooses, NMCP offers many programs that make quitting convenient. NMCP and its branch health clinics offer counseling, one-day workshops, one-time, one-hour clinics, support groups, walk-in medication prescriptions and access to many other resources.

Patients can see a provider at any clinic, regardless of their primary care location, and can get the resources they need to quit, including medications, all in one appointment.

According to the American Cancer Society, from 1965 to today, cigarette smoking among adults in the United States has decreased from more than 42 percent to around 18 percent, but is responsible for nearly one-third of cancer deaths and 20 percent of deaths from all causes.

To join a tobacco cessation program, call the Hampton Roads Appointment Center at (866)645-4584. For more information about walk-in clinics, call the Wellness Department at (757)953-9250.

For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visit www.navy.mil/local/NMCP/.