Compton82

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07...y5150763.shtml

Health experts at the Pentagon want a ban on the sale and use of tobacco in the military, USA Today reports.

A study commissioned by the Pentagon and Veteran Affairs recommends banning the product in phases over the next several years. Additionally, it suggests that “achieving a tobacco-free military begins by closing the pipeline of new tobacco users entering the military and by promoting cessation programs to ensure abstinence” – which means requiring all enlisting members to be tobacco-free, Army.com reports.

As the head of the Pentagon’s office of clinical and program policy, Jack Smith told USA Today that he will be urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to adopt the proposals set forth by the study. It finds that tobacco use costs the Pentagon nearly $846 million each year. $6 billion is spent by the Department of Veteran Affairs on treating tobacco-related illnesses as well.

The Pentagon requested the study in 2007, according to Army.com. It found one in three service members currently use tobacco products, and that the heaviest smokers are in the Army and Marines. The study also found that tobacco use has risen since the start of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, suggesting a direct correlation between combat and tobacco use.

Heavy smoking has been part of military culture for years. “The image of the battle-weary soldier in fatigues and helmet, fighting for his country, has frequently included his lit cigarette,” the study says. A ban would mean fewer such associations, possibly changing the culture altogether, the study suggests.

Although tobacco use in the military is not encouraged, anti-tobacco advocate Kenneth Kizer told USA Today that such products are subsidized for troops. Much of the profits from their sale to troops go to recreation and family support programs.

If the proposals are adopted, tobacco products will not be sold at military commissaries. In addition, tobacco use would be banned on military property and tobacco use would be treated similarly to alcohol abuse and poor fitness, according to Army.com.

edwardcarter

might as well **** off all the guys with guns.......

Tomball_D

they can die for our country but not smoke, they can die for our freedom but if they survive they better not cost the system any money later? I'm not one for tobbacco use but I am for personal freedoms.

-SKETCHY-

well said

sik954rr

thats some bullshit

COOP 1

+2

LadyAliKat

yeah that was a fun read in stars and stripes...i think the military is stupid if they start trying to ban legal products. I also don't think it will ever fly. you want to see the combat stress centers really busy...go ahead and ban tobacco. it's going to cause headaches for JAG and TDS as well...because they will be kept busy processing the article 15's for popping hot for tobacco.

so son, why did you get kicked out of the army again????
you did what, smoked a cigaratte???


i never thought i'd say it, but i'm fed up with the military and the rediculous policies that they come up with.

i don't smoke, and i never will, but it seems the military in general seems hell bent on fighting for everyone else's freedoms but making sure to take every single one away from our soldiers who are the ones doing the fighting.

IRISH MIKE

Yeah. Its a terrible idea.

LadyAliKat

the stars and stripes article had said that smokeless tobacco wasn't necessarily on the chopping block like cigarettes were. sure chewing and smoking both have health risks, but so does driving a car, so does driving down Tampa. we aren't going to ban driving because people die or get permanately injured from being stupid in cars or on bikes, we aren't going to ban war because we hit another IED and yet another kid's legs got blown off.

some people can go their whole lives smoking and chewing and never have to deal with the health risks their habits pose. i work with enough smokers in our BDE who can out PT the non-tobacco users any day.

a good portion of military personnel get out before they qualify for any retirement health care or VA benefits, most military medical costs are not from treating ailments that are brought on by smoking.

if they are worried about medical costs-have smokers sign a waiver that any smoking/chewing related health issues will be paid for by the soldier and not the government.

trying to say that smoking and chewing could have any possible impact on strength and readiness is total BS. our soldiers fought harder and in worse conditions in WW 1 and 2 and we gave them cigarettes back then.

a greater risk to readiness/strength would be injuries from off duty sports and recreation or even daily PT and over doing it on the weights. and i'll guarantee all the iraq dust i've been breathing in over the last 7 months is worse for me than smoking for 7 months would have been. and i'd probably be a lot calmer.

50Outlaw

its not the military...

its the government

LadyAliKat

true this one my be the gov't but the military is stupid enough to consider it...but mostly my rose colored glasses about the army got driven over by a stryker and thinking back over the years, there are just too many idiotic things that i'm sure have all sorts of "reasons" for being implimented....but i'm tired of it.

so i think it's time to throw in the towel for a little bit..i mean for god's sake my best friend who is a guy got a 2 star general letter of repriand for talking to a female friend of the same rank about the movie Zack and Miri make a Porno and Hostel, for talking about tanning at the pool this summer, and for walking around the FOB at night with me and we were *gasp* giggling, oh and for helping a female MAJ move furniture in her CHU.

OC DeBo

^^^ i still got that issue of stars and stripes out at the JSS. 90 percent of my platoon uses some form ot tobacco products, and im glad they do, everyone needs soemthin to take the edge off. back home i would go riding, but here i just go to the gym instead of smoking. Hearing things like this is just another reason to make me start.

Oh and that EO stuff is ******* hilarious. We had one guy get UCMJ for being in a CHU with a member of the opposite sex, and alledigly got an A-15 for it. woot woot for army "due process" haha

LadyAliKat

yeah there is a lot of that going on around here, but it depends on who you are if you get in trouble or not...like the COL's in crew who can spill TS info over secret and unclass media. yeah it's ok, we'll sweep that under the rug, even though that kind of stuff gets soldiers killed

KO

glad i'm not in anymore. **** has changed alot