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Armed Forces Get Tough on Smoking
1/3/2003

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For years, smoking has been part of military culture. However, all that is changing as the U.S. armed forces tighten restrictions on smoking, Stars and Stripes reported Dec. 31.

Last month, the U.S. Air Force tightened its smoking policies by joining a worldwide ban on smoking in all morale, welfare, and recreation facilities on military bases.

In addition, the Navy, Army and Air Force recently ordered their clubs and community centers to become smoke-free, with limited smoking areas.

Smoking policies for U.S. Army personnel call for "controlled" tobacco use. In addition, family members and retirees are urged to "engage in appropriate anti-tobacco activities." The 1996 regulation also calls for setting up a smoking area in the workplace that is not commonly used by nonsmokers.

Furthermore, the regulation requires Army healthcare providers to ask their patients about tobacco use as part of their routine physical and dental exams. Physicians are required to inform their patients about the risks of smoking and provide resources to help them quit.

U.S. Navy personnel come under a 1994 regulation that prohibits smoking at its 10-week boot camp and bans smoking from most spaces on ships and in buildings ashore.

Military officials view smoking as "a health issue" that affects readiness and military bearing. "Tobacco use adversely affects night vision, respiratory capacity, and wound healing rates, and contributes to risk of cold injuries, including frostbite. Statistically, smokers have higher accident rates than do nonsmokers," said a 1998 Secretary of the Navy memo. "Tobacco use harms readiness by impairing physical fitness and by increasing illness, absenteeism, premature death, and health-care costs."

According to a 2000 study, 34.9 percent of Navy personnel and 35 percent of Marine Corps personnel are smokers. The national average for the general public is 25 percent.

Recently, there has been speculation that the military could go completely smoke-free, but some military personnel are against a total smoking ban.

"It would be the military and the government going too far," said one senior enlisted soldier, who asked not to be named. "I understand not wanting to violate a nonsmoker's right to clean air, but I have rights, too."

Sgt. Mathew Hicks from the 88th Military Police sees a total ban as a positive measure. "I'd quit, at least it would give me an edge, and then I'd have a real reason," he said. "I have no reason right now."

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