R 121804Z OCT 10

ALCOAST 492/10
COMDTNOTE 6100
SUBJ: NEW ON-LINE TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAMS AND E-CIGARETTES
A. COAST GUARD HEALTH PROMOTION MANUAL, COMDTINST M6200.1(SERIES)
B. COAST GUARD WEIGHT AND BODY FAT STANDARDS PROGRAM MANUAL,
COMDTINST M1020.8(SERIES)
1. THIS MSG ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF THE NEW TOBACCO CESSATION WEB
SITE WWW.UCANQUIT2.ORG.  THIS SITE IS FREE FOR ALL:
   A. ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE PERSONNEL
   B. FAMILY MEMBERS OF ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE PERSONNEL
   C. CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES
   D. RETIREES AND VETERANS
2. THIS SITE HAS MANY PROGRAMS TO HELP COAST GUARD MEMBERS QUIT
TOBACCO PRODUCTS:
   A. OPTIONS TO CREATE YOUR OWN QUIT PLAN, QUIT CALENDAR, AND QUIT
BLOG.
   B. ON-LINE ASSISTANCE, CHAT LIVE, ONE-ON-ONE, WITH A TRAINED
TOBACCO CESSATION COACH FROM 0800 TO 2200 EST.
   C. SUPPORT INFORMATION ABOUT DIFFERENT KINDS OF MEDICINES TO HELP
YOU QUIT.
   D. VIDEO MESSAGES FROM MASTER CHIEF LEAVITT ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
   E. FREE MATERIALS SUCH AS POSTERS, POSTCARDS, AND DVDS TO USE IN
YOUR SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAMS.
   F. FACEBOOK PAGES, MYSPACE AND TWITTER FOR MORE ON-LINE SUPPORT.
3. THE FOLLOWING ARE REMINDERS CONCERNING COAST GUARD TOBACCO POLICY:
   A. MEMBERS CONSIDERING NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (NRT) SHOULD
CONSULT THEIR MILITARY PRIMARY CARE MANAGER OR HEALTH, SAFETY, AND
WORK-LIFE PHARMACY OFFICER ON HOW TO OBTAIN NRT PRODUCTS.  THE COST
OF NRT PRODUCTS PURCHASED AT A LOCAL PHARMACY WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED
TO THE MEMBER.
   B. AVIATION PERSONNEL SHALL CONSULT THEIR FLIGHT SURGEON BEFORE
TAKING ANY NRT PRODUCTS.
   C. MEMBERS WHO ARE CONSIDERING QUITTING TOBACCO PRODUCTS, BUT ARE
AFRAID OF BECOMING OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE WEIGHT STANDARDS SHOULD
CONSULT REF B FOR THE TOBACCO CESSATION EXCEPTION.
4. ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES (E-CIGARETTES) ALSO KNOWN AS E-CIGS ARE
BATTERY OPERATED DEVICES THAT DELIVER NICOTINE VIA A VAPOR.  THESE
PRODUCTS ARE NOT REGULATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND
ARE NOT CONSIDERED A SMOKING CESSATION AID. NICOTINE IS VERY
ADDICTIVE AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS WITH POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
SUCH AS HEADACHES, INCREASED STRESS, AND INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE
WHICH CAN LEAD TO OTHER MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. E-CIGARETTES SHALL BE
TREATED LIKE ANY OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCT CONTAINING NICOTINE, AS
OUTLINED IN REF A, AND SHALL ONLY BE USED IN DESIGNATED SMOKING
AREAS.
5. I REALIZE HOW HARD IT IS TO QUIT TOBACCO USE. I ENCOURAGE COMMANDS
TO SUPPORT MEMBERS WHO ATTEMPT TO QUIT AND STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT
ANYONE WHO USES TOBACCO OR NICOTINE PRODUCTS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE
SERVICES.
6. POC FOR THIS PROGRAM IS MR. TIM MERRELL 202-475-5146,
TIMOTHY.M.MERRELL(AT)USCG.MIL.
7. RADM MARK TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORK-LIFE,
SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.