DTAs in effect on Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  While base regulations may not prohibit the use of tobacco products, remnants of its use should not be discovered in unapproved areas. Base personnel are allowed to smoke on Royal Air Force Lakenheath, but only in the predetermined zones.

Air Force Instruction 40-102, Tobacco Use in the Air Force, mandates that all Air Force installations prohibit tobacco use except in Designated Tobacco Areas and housing units. Installations are currently in the process of establishing these in order to comply with the AFI which was released two years ago.

DTAs have been strategically located all around RAF Lakenheath to provide Airmen with a chance to calm their craving while maintaining professionalism and ensuring the overall cleanliness of the base.

"Smoking areas help at our dorms a lot," said Airman 1st Class Kenny Arthur Solomon, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron materiel management journeyman. "As a dorm president, it really makes my job easier, since I don't have to worry about complaints of smoking and dipping going on all over the building."

The 48th Civil Engineer Squadron is currently working on making signs for each DTA so that locations will be more recognizable.

"There are DTA maps for both Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Feltwell listed on the 48th Fighter Wing Interactive Collaborative Environment webpage," said Maj. Scott Martin, 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron interim health promotions flight commander. "The maps can even be magnified as much as needed in order to get a good visual on the exact location of each smoking area."

Additionally, work centers and high traffic areas will have maps printed and prominently posted in common areas to direct consumers to the closest DTA.

These locations are not permanent, and personnel should be aware that they can be closed or removed if they are found to be poorly maintained.

DTAs are measures that have been put into effect to minimalize the impact of tobacco use on installations, but are only the first step in promoting a tobacco-free Air Force.

"AFI 40-102 [promotes] a tobacco-free Air Force, so this is the direction we are headed," Martin said. "Commanders and leaders across the Air Force are being asked to look for ways to decrease supportive environments for tobacco use, while increasing support for those who want to quit using tobacco."

For now, Martin provides Airmen and their families with a general rule of thumb: if they are not in a DTA, they shouldn't be smoking.