Dormitory tobacco ban effective March 7

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In an effort to improve quality of life for single Airmen who live on base, Dyess' dormitories will become tobacco-free effective March 7. 

Chief Master Sgt. Paul Wheeler, 7th Bomb Wing command chief, said dip, cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products will be banned from dorm rooms, areas on the sidewalk in front of the rooms, or any inside dormitory common area. 

The policy is changing due to the health issues caused by second-hand smoke and the close quarters in which dorm residents live, Chief Wheeler said. 

"It is our obligation to provide a healthy living environment for the Airmen that fosters a 'fit to fight' mentality," he said. 

Airman 1st Class Mitchell Yager, 7th Comptroller Squadron, lives in the dorms and has been a smoker for the last five or six years, since he was about 18 years old. 

"I do smoke in my room usually, but now that I won't be allowed to anymore it'll just be a good reason to quit," he said. He's wanted to quit for a while, but said he's only ever quit for a couple weeks and goes back to smoking after a while. 

The "no tobacco" rule could affect Airmen's workplaces if the ban causes them to quit smoking. 

"Sometimes I smoke to get a break from the office," Airman Yager said. 

The dorm managers and first sergeants are in the process of identifying designated smoking areas for people near the dormitories. 

For information on tobacco cessation, call Dyess' Health and Wellness Center at 696-4140.