Quit smoking Published Dec. 7, 2006 By Pope Health and Wellness Center POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Tobacco is not often thought of as an enemy. An enemy takes control and forces you to do things that you don't want to do. But using tobacco is a personal choice, isn't it? An Airman who uses tobacco probably started before joining the Air Force and has kept on using just to fit in with the group and to satisfy a craving for tobacco. This Airman has probably tried to quit a couple of times, but couldn't because not using tobacco felt really bad. So the Airman went back to using tobacco just to feel better. It starts to sound a lot like an addiction. A drug addict is physically addicted to what he or she craves, has specific triggers that bring on the urge to use the drug, and will put out a lot of time, money and effort to use the drug and satisfy the urge. Sound like any smokers you know? Does it sound like you? Airmen who smoke are most likely addicted to tobacco. Addiction takes away freedom. If you are addicted to tobacco, you are not truly free. But you may not believe that you are addicted to tobacco. You may think that it is a personal choice -- you like smoking, and so you do it of your own free will. Well, try this. November is Great American Smokeout Month. Just stop smoking for a day, 24 hours. No big deal. If you make it through the 24 hours without getting fidgety, and crabby, and wanting a cigarette more than anything else -- then hey, you're probably not addicted. But if you can't make it 24 hours without getting all bent out of shape, you probably are addicted. And you need to make a plan to beat the addiction and become tobacco free. There are many resources to help you become tobacco free. The Health and Wellness Center stands ready to help. Let your healthcare providers, your friends, and your family know that you are going to fight tobacco addiction. Decide that no matter what it takes, you are going to beat tobacco -- you are going to win.