MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – According to the American Lung Association, each year 226,160 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer and 160,340 Americans die from it. Many of these deaths could be prevented if the victims cut smoking cigarettes from their daily lives.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Marine Corps Community Services' Semper Fit Program and Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point erected informational booths and organized "quit kit" giveaways throughout this week in an effort to give Sailors and Marines the tools they need to quit and provide them with an opportunity to choose a day to pledge to quit.
Today, the air station observes the most readily recognizable day of the month – the Great American Smokeout. The Great American Smokeout is a nationally recognized day when Americans are encouraged to abstain from smoking for 24 hours. In support of this important step, there will be no tobacco sales at any Cherry Point facility air station today.
Kristen Gibson, a Semper Fit health educator, feels that quitting smoking is important for everyone but especially for Marines because of what being a Marine requires physically.
“The most important reason for Marines to quit smoking is for their personal health,” Gibson said. “Smoking increases the risks of many types of cancers, to the smoker and to their families.”
For more information call MCCS Semper Fit at 466-06467 or Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point at 466-0277.
Great American Smoke Out lighting up
By Lance Cpl. Paul E. Wyatt | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point | November 16, 2012
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. --