If you're going to quit, go all the way Published March 21, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Antonio Gonzalez 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La -- According to the American Lung Association website, more than 392,000 people die from tobacco related diseases every year in the U.S., making it the leading cause of preventable death. Whether you're trying to improve your health, save money, save aggrevation or create a better environment for those around you, Barksdale's Health and Wellness Center can help. The HAWC offers a tobacco cessation course for those who wish to stop using tobacco. "Those who attend the course will learn to identify triggers of tobacco use, as well as how to break the habit, what to expect when quitting and how to remain tobacco free," said Patty McGruder, 2nd Aerospace Medical Squadron health promotion educator. The tobacco cessation course consists of four 60-minute sessions, held every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. For those who can't attend the tobacco cessation classes, the HAWC also offers information for counselors at the American Lung Association. Their hotline is 877-695-7848. This 12-week program requires the individual to call in once a week and provides tobacco users with additional reinforcement, motivation and information they need to quit. "The call can range anywhere from two minutes to as long as five minutes or more and it is very beneficial to those committed to making tobacco use a thing of the past," said McGruder. When individuals enroll into either the tobacco cessation class or the quit line, they will be able to receive the patches and/or other cessation medication provided by the 2nd Medical Group. Those who are interested in the tobacco cessation course may sign up by calling the HAWC at 456-8046 or contacting your unit fitness program monitor.