Hurlburt Field pharmacy helps with tobacco cessation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal Garrett
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 1st Special Operations Medical Group pharmacy is providing Hurlburt Field personnel with nicotine replacements for individuals wanting to stop tobacco use.

One of the base pharmacists, hoping to catch people who have a New Years resolution to quit smoking, wants everyone to know of their options.

"Patients are given one quit attempt a year," said Capt. Karl Bitun, pharmacist of 1st Special Operations Medical Support Squadron. "When patients visit the pharmacy, they are asked a series of questions that help determine whether the gum or the patch will work best for them. "

DoD cardholders with military medical benefits can visit the pharmacy and pick up nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges or both.

"These two medications are great products that work differently," Bitun said. "The patch works at a stable level throughout the day, while the gum allows for a quick-fix for a crave."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the adverse health effects from cigarette smoking account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths, each year in the United States. More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV,) illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined.

For more information about tobacco cessation resources, contact the Hurlburt Field Health and Wellness Center at (850) 884-4292.