Ban on Tobacco Urged in Military

WASHINGTON (USA TODAY) -- Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to ban the use of tobacco by troops and end its sale on military property, a change that could dramatically alter a culture intertwined with smoking.

Jack Smith, head of the Pentagon's office of clinical and program policy, says he will recommend that Gates adopt proposals by a federal study that cites rising tobacco use and higher costs for the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs as reasons for the ban.

The study by the Institue of Medicine, requested by the VA and Pentagon, calls for a phased-in ban over a period of years, perhaps up to 20. "We'll certainly be taking that recommendation forward," Smith says.

A tobacco ban would confront a military culture, the report says, in which "the image of the battle-weary soldier in fatigues and helmet, fighting for his country, has frequently included his lit cigarette."

Also, the report said, troops worn out by repeated deployments often rely on cigarettes as a "stress reliever." The study found that tobacco use in the military increased after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began.

Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said the department supports a smoke-free military "and believes it is achievable." She declined to elaborate on any possible ban.

One in three servicemembers use tobacco, the report says, compared with one in five adult Americans. The heaviest smokers are soldiers and Marines, who have done most of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the study says. About 37% of soldiers use tobacco and 36% of Marines. Combat veterans are 50% more likely to use tobacco than troops who haven't seen combat.

Tobacco use costs the Pentagon $846 million a year in medical care and lost productivity, says the report, which used older data. The Department of Veterans Affairs spends up to $6 billion in treatments for tobacco-related illnesses, says the study, which was released late last month.

Along with a phased-in ban, the report recommends requiring new officers and enlisted personnel to be tobacco-free, eliminating tobacco use on military installations, ships and aircraft, expanding treatment programs and eliminating the sale of tobacco on military property. "Any tobacco use while in uniform should be prohibited," the study says.

The military complicates attempts to curb tobacco use by subsidizing tobacco products for troops who buy them at base exchanges and commissaries, says Kenneth Kizer, a committee member and architect of California's anti-tobacco program.

Seventy percent of profits from tobacco sales - $88 million in 2005 - pays for recreation and family support programs, the study stays.

Strong leadership could make the military tobacco-free in five to 10 years, Kizer says. President Obama, he says, could set an example for the military by ending his own smoking habit once and for all. Last month, Obama said he is "95% cured" but "there are times when I mess up" and smoke.

Article found here.

I think it is a good idea but will be hard to enforce. I had to get out of active service to give them up. Of course it is shown that the higher education level you are the less likely you smoke. I think the military should make it easier to take classes while on duty. I got out of active after 8 years and went to college where there were less people smoking. I really quit for a man - lol. But I think being educated & out of active service helped me quit. Smoke free now for 24 years......

that`s a hard call,..

I`m in my own struggle this weekend alone and I`m not fighting any wars,..

maybe Obama should just end the dam war,..

I dont smoke. Just for the record and never even tried one.
I do believe we are starting in infringe on individual rights. Bacon can kill us, if I make a choice to eat it then I choose to make that choice. The percentage of deaths caused by cigarettes is scary but what stops a ban on bacon due to the cholesterol death percentages. Yes bacon is not addictive but we do have caffeine and other stimulants. Yes smoking areas are a good idea. I made a choice not to smoke and I dont want to risk my life for their choice. I do eat bacon and drink coffee.....I wouldnt appreciate a ban.

maybe Obama should just end the dam war,.

I am sure you didn't mean to suggest that people that smoke are stupid? I am educated and I smoke, and I am fully aware of the risks. I know the risks of living too, and I still choose to live.

I find it a bit ironic that soldiers face an immediate enemy, risking their lives, yet can't smoke to relieve the stress?

Oh well the military is all about control, so I guess it fits the profile to control that too.

I dont know...thats what started the last depression. There are no jobs to keep our boys employed.

Thank you, non-smoker, for making these points. I agree. I do smoke, have trouble quitting, etc. But, you are on point that there's getting to be more of this Big Brother control and right on about so many other things killing us besides.
Something tells me they never used to take polls about tobacco use in the old days, before they even knew it caused cancer. I grew up Army, and most everyone in the service seemed to smoke. And, yeah, it's bad. But, when they remove one addiction, another will pop up. And who am I to tell some soldier in the fray that he/she is naughty for relieving stress that way? Beats bar brawls and rapes, etc. And, this money the service will save..... will it go to the UNDERPAID SOLDIERS SOMEHOW??? I doubt that!!!

No what Im saying is that we choose our vises and the government IS (my opinion) infringing on people rights. The laws are getting more stern and employers are now asking on application if you smoke. I dont see good things with the "new rules". It reminds me (yes your going to think im dumb...but im going to say it) racial profiling.

I have an idea!

Let's defend to the death another person's right to fly the flag upside-down, but let's ban him from smoking a cigarette.

I have a better idea, lets defend the mans right to smoke and fly the flag whatever way he chooses. I know this guy that right now has a flag as a couch cover, and some of his friends have suggested it disrespectful to sit or lay down on the flag, but they didn't call the cops.

He told them that it was a free country and he didn't see it that way. He loves the flag an likes having it where it is.

I am just an aquaintence, but I didn't have a problem with it, but did notice it, hard not to, you don't often see it used that way.

It seems if you are going to fight for freedom of expression you fight for everyone's expression not just one's own. no?

The military is not about control!!!!!
It's about team work and discipline and respect.
I would personally appreciate it if you wouldn't say things like that about the military. (but it is your opinion all though not truth).
And if you read the article it is PENTAGON HEALTH EXPERTS who are suggesting this.

He is free because of that expression. If you disrespect the cause then why scream you want the freedom. I suggest he leave the country to disrespect OUR nation some where else. I truly believe the new generations no longer comprehend what it is to be free. They are now turning against the words that our fathers wrote for us. Our father wanted us to grow with the country not treat it as a toiletry.

Land of the free my arse.

very true,its the same here in the uk..........control,control,control.............

Really! I'm retired military reserves and I agree that the military is not about control but teamwork. It's what I miss the most in this "me" generation. I went to a military school for retraining in 2000 & was in classes w/18-19 years old. All they could talk about what they wanted out of the military but what they didn't want to do to get it - ie: wear uniforms, wear hair short, etc. I never heard so much complaining in my life. I appreciate what the military gave to me considering the poor background I came from. If it wasn't for them I would have my college degree, pension & repected for the USA, that I now have. Was it easy? - H#LL NO, but I've earned my own way most of my life. I can only hope that the smoker of the world who are draining the VA health network don't screw up my benefits in the futures. If the military does ban smoking then people will just have to make up their own mind whether they smoke or join the military, simple as that. Basic training is the prefect time to quit and there are other ways to releave stress for our military members. JMO

Not really... THink about it. All these troops with all this money building in their bank accounts. Brink them home, that's a temporary stimulus in itself. If you lowered the taxes and stopped printing money to offset the inflation, that could start a small economic boom.

If soldiers want to smoke, let them smoke. If you make it illegal, you will cut armed forces retention, and recuitment in half at the very least. Very terrible idea. Good thought, but BBBAAAAAAADDD idea.

True...that is an interesting perspective. I wont lie... I want them home. I work of Fort Carson...and my perspective is different. Any of you Army Wives I take my hat off.