Designated Tobacco Area locations adjusted to fit new restrictions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bonnie Grantham
  • 319 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Health and Wellness Center and the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron here have worked together to design a new designated tobacco area (DTA) map for the base that indicates where tobacco may be used.

Leah Melquist, HAWC health promotion manager, has worked with the 319th CES over the past year to coordinate and approve 33 designated tobacco locations on the base. Each location will be marked with a sign, and tobacco receptacles have been set in place. Tobacco users are expected to keep the DTAs clean and free of cigarette butts or debris per AFI 40-102 2.2.4.5.

"If the DTAs are not kept clean and policed by the users, they will be removed," Melquist said.

The new DTA map Melquist and CES have created is based off of restrictions listed in AFI 40-102. DTAs are to be at a minimum of 50 feet away from building entrances/egresses and pedestrian walkways including parking lots to prevent secondhand smoke exposure to passersby. DTAs will not be within 100 feet of playgrounds to minimize secondhand smoke exposure to children playing, entering or exiting the area.

"Many of the old DTAs were not in compliance with the new restrictions," Melquist said. "We are counting on the integrity of Airmen to hold others accountable to the regulations when they see someone using tobacco outside of a DTA."

Tobacco users are reminded that tobacco use is prohibited in all Air Force vehicles, and students of all AF formal training courses are prohibited from using tobacco in duty uniform.

For tobacco users interested in cessation, Melquist said she will be leading a tobacco cessation class starting on Nov. 13. However, anyone interested in quitting tobacco may contact Melquist any time to learn about cessation options, nicotine replacement therapy, and medications to assist with cessation. She can be reached at or 747-3853.

Another option to those pursuing cessation is the North Dakota Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) where trained counselors are available to assist callers. They also mail out free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges.