With the ban against smoking below decks set to take effect in submarines by end of this year, Sailors who have cigarette habits need all the help they can get. For some of them, the recent observance of the Great American Smokeout (GASO) became the beginning of the end of their smoking habits.

According to a feature on the Navy website, Sailors of submarines attached to Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, used the Great American Smokeout as a jump-off point to getting rid of their habits, in time for the ban. The Great American Smokeout encourages smokers to refrain from smoking for at least 24 hours, in the hope that this will serve as an inspiration to quit smoking for good.

Tracy Navarette, health promotions director of the Naval Health Clinic Hawaii, said: “Our part in supporting the GASO this year is to promote awareness and educate participants on the long term effects of smoking, second hand smoke and smokeless tobacco… It is estimated that more individuals quit smoking during the GASO than any other day of the year.”

In addition to the Great American Smokeout, Sailors who need it receive help through smoking cessation programs that are implemented on COMSUBPAC submarines. The programs combine education with nicotine replacement therapy, and two tobacco training facilitators are assigned to each submarine to help program participants.

Chief Hospital Corpsman Dave Mathews, COMSUBPAC tobacco cessation training program coordinator, shared: “The instant you quit smoking the reverse effects start happening immediately… We encourage our submariners to lead the healthiest lifestyle possible, both on land and out at sea.”