Susan Hennessy, wellness coordinator at the Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, presents a “Wellness-in-Navy” mug to Midn. 3/C Jim Tumolo, a sponsor taking part in the Great American Smokeout. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Patrick Green

Susan Hennessy, wellness coordinator at the Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, and Ellen Sherman, who works with the Midshipmen Welfare Fund (MWF), organized the event during which 36 Midshipmen gave up tobacco for at least a 24-hour period.

‘‘This smokeout helped me to think about my health and how it is better to quit now rather than later,” said Midn. 3⁄C Adam Carlson. ‘‘I felt my bad habit was unhealthy and I was becoming sick of having to rely on tobacco to get through my normal day tasks.”

A key part of the smokeout program is the sponsor. Each Midshipman trying to quit has a fellow Midshipman who volunteered to be their sponsor, encouraging them during the 24 hours and helping them work past their cravings for nicotine. Carlson’s sponsor was his roommate, Midn. 3⁄C Jim Tumolo.

‘‘I gained a sense of accomplishment because I knew quitting was going to be difficult, but thanks to my roommate the process was much easier,” said Carlson.

In its 34th year as a national program, the Great American Smokeout has been conducted at the Naval Academy since 1998, encouraging tobacco users within the Brigade to quit for good.

‘‘I think it’s a great program,” said Tumolo. ‘‘I feel that if people sometimes have a little incentive and reason to quit, it makes it a little easier on them. It gave me a different perspective on people quitting.”

Hennessy said she frequently gets feedback from prior participants telling her the event encouraged them to remain tobacco-free beyond the initial 24-hour period.

Midshipmen who successfully gave up tobacco for 24 hours received a $5.00 Yard Card from MWF while those who volunteered as sponsors received a ‘‘Wellness-in-Navy” mug from the health clinic.