Poster 45 - Combatting Tobacco & Nicotine Use in Military Populations in Area Health Education Centers

Monday, April 27, 2026

1:15 PM - 1:45 PM MDT

Location: Screen 12, Exhibit Hall Poster Pavilion

There are over 2 million active-duty personnel and 18 million military veterans in the US. Thirty percent of individuals in the military use tobacco and nicotine products, which is double the rate of the general population. Many of these individuals seek cessation services in the community and strategies for identifying them and tailoring services to their unique needs represent an area of growth for Area Health Education Centers delivering cessation services.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the prevalence of tobacco and nicotine use among active-duty military personnel and veterans compared to the general population.
Identify the unique military-related experiences and stressors that influence tobacco initiation and cessation.
Explore strategies for improving tobacco cessation services for military populations in community-based care settings, including the role of Area Health Education Centers (AHECs).

Poster Presenter(s)

M. Bryant Howren, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor
University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine
Iowa City, Iowa

Disclosure information not submitted.
SL

Susan LaJoie, APRN, DrPH, FNP-C

Associate Professor; Director, AHEC
Florida State University College of Medicine
Tallahassee, Florida

Disclosure information not submitted.