- JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- As of Jan. 1, 2016, it is unlawful to sell, furnish tobacco products, to include electronic smoking devices, to a person under 21 years of age in the state of Hawaii.
What do you need to know about the new law?
If a person, under 21 years of age and is found with tobacco products or an electronic smoking device, a citation of $10.00 can be issued for the first offense and $50.00 thereafter.
If a person, over the age of 21 years is found to have sold or given tobacco products, to include electronic smoking device, to an individual under 21 years of age, a citation of $500.00 can be issued. For any offense after the first $500.00 to $2,000.00 citation can be issued. Additionally, this is considered to be a criminal violation that will appear on a criminal record.
“The one thing military members need to know is that JBPHH is a concurrent Jurisdiction,” said Capt. Christopher Simmons, assistant staff judge advocate for the 15th Wing Legal Office. “This is not something that the military commands decided to implement, because JBPHH is concurrent jurisdiction we follow state laws as well as federal laws.”
To comply with the law, all Army and Air Force Exchange service stores and Navy Exchange services stores have stopped selling all tobacco products to individuals less than 21 years of age.
So now what do military members under the age of 21 do now since they can no longer consume tobacco products?
This is where the JBPHH tobacco cessation programs come into play. The program will assist service members kick the habit by providing classes and medications.
“In the classes we identify triggers as well as what is happening psychologically that causes the addiction,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Parsell, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 15th Medical Group’s Outreach and Resiliency office. “We then provide them with medication to help them to jump start their treatment and help them quit using tobacco products.”
Parsell added it is recommended anyone who is trying to quit using tobacco products should attend a minimum of four classes to help maximize their ability to shake the addiction.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, quitting may require several attempts. Four out of five people who stop smoking often begin again due to withdrawal symptoms, stress, and weight gain. Another CDC study found that nearly seven in ten or 68.9% of adult cigarette smokers wanted to stop smoking and more than four in ten or 42.7% of adult cigarette smokers made an attempt to quit in the past year.
“The most important things about our class is that we try to break down why people are smoking and why they turn to tobacco,” said Parsell. “The class helps braek down why you turn to Tobacco, so you can quit and stay tobacco free.”
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Tobacco Cessation classes are held every Monday at 2:00 p.m. in the 15th Medical Group’s Mental Health Clinic.
Additionally, the Naval Health Clinic holds classes every Wednesday from 1000-1100, JBPHH Fitness Center, Classroom 2, 2nd floor.
For more information, contact 15th Medical Group’s outreach and resiliency office at 449-1538, or call NHCH Health clinic at (808) 471-2280 or (808) 473-2444 +9 Ext 4507