Smoking in the military: An old habit dies hard

AP ^ | 082909 | DEB RIECHMANN,

[Artemis Webb]

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Gen. Douglas MacArthur had his signature corncob pipe. Soldiers got cigarettes in their C-rations during World War II. Even today, America's war on tobacco seems to have largely bypassed the military.

Now a proposal to make the forces smoke-free is drawing strong reactions from troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though the Pentagon itself says any ban is a long way off.

The troops' fears — and, in some cases, hopes — were triggered by a study commissioned by the Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department that recommends moving toward a tobacco-free military, perhaps in about 20 years.

[Future Snake Eater]

I’m pretty anti-smoking but the idea of weakening our forces for the sake of political correctness disguised as a health concern.

It's a legitimate health concern, it won't weaken anything. They can dip, chew gum, drink Gatorade/coffee, etc. None of those practices effects the surrounding Soldiers like smoking does (unless folks freak out by the spitters everywhere).

There have been real problems developing from energy drinks, too. Guys are coming back from deployments as full-blown diabetics from all the Red Bull/Monster/RipIt crap they drink over there.

[ansel12]

We had an awful lot of military history before tobacco started being used about 400 years ago (rounding off).

How did soldiers do without it throughout almost all of history?

[Publius6961]

I find it hard to argue very forcefully in favor of smoking.

Don't be silly.
No one is arguing, forcefully or otherwise, in favor of smoking, or encouraging you to so the same.

The argument is with eternal busybodies who give idiots a bad name.
They argue the most absurd things, like protecting soldiers in the battlefield between skirmishes, or protecting the condemned prisoner prior to his execution; then, there's the ever-popular, we (gummint) will pay for your health care and the only tiny price is your individual freedom of choice concerning a still legal substance!

Every time this subject appears here, I am reminded of two things...

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their consciences.” -- C. S. Lewis

and

"This is probably wishful thinking in view of my family's medical history, but it points up another benefit of cigarettes we no longer hear about: consolation. Even the word is gone from the language now, but it was what came through in World War II newsreels showing weary soldiers and refugees lighting up. In their most despairing moments a cigarette was all they had, and increasingly I feel the same way." -- Florence King

[Publius6961]

...already only 20% of America smokes and that is mostly among the lower income, lower education Americans.

Sho 'nuf bubba; but I lernt a lot anywyas, and manigd to earn a gud liffink as an enjunir, survyr and planr for almust fiv dekids, survd in countlis cumishuns und boreds in my spr tym.

[Publius6961]

How did soldiers do without it throughout almost all of history?

Hilarious question!

Same way, I suppose, as they got along withour firearms, tanks, body armor, night vision scopes, airplanes, radar, parachutes, field surgery facilities, helicopters, etc. etc.

And quite better than the AIDS, cocaine, speed and heroin which is infinitely more destructive and certain.

Ever seen a real documentary of our space program mission control of the 60s and 70s?

[Drew68]

At some point smoking will cease for all of civilized society but in the military they should take their time and tread lightly, starting a process of ten or 15 years for the change over might be reasonable, it gives people time to get used to the idea and for new cultures to grow.

That's why they're talking about a 20 year plan. Honestly, in 20 years, I doubt if there will be very many people still smoking in America. The way current trends are going, cigarettes will cost $100 a pack and smokers will need to hire special "smoking barges" to take them 50 miles out to sea to legally light up.

I'm only being half sarcastic but once smoking has been eliminated from all public places, they'll go after private dwellings under the "for the children" guise and this will be the nail in the coffin for cigarettes.

[Drew68]

Only if the fascists make it so. People won't do it voluntarily. Thus, I wonder, will it really by civilized society?

Not quite. Smoking bans enjoy significant support among the voters, including many conservatives. Why? because of friends like mine who have never touched a drink nor smoked a cigarette but supports wholeheartedly smoking bans in bars. there's a lot of so-called "conservatives" like this guy. Sad but true. They could put banning cigarettes to a vote tomorrow and it would pass unless the tobacco lobby could somehow convince Americans that we need the tax revenue.

[Publius6961]

That's why they're talking about a 20 year plan. Honestly, in 20 years, I doubt if there will be very many people still smoking in America. The way current trends are going, cigarettes will cost $100 a pack and smokers will need to hire special "smoking barges" to take them 50 miles out to sea to legally light up.

As a smoker, I look forward to the federal outlawing of tobacco.

Afterwards, smoking should be cheaper, available everywhere, and everyone should be happier.
The criminal element, as demonstrated unarguably by the war on drugs, is infinitely more efficient and durable than any legal business--- or government.