Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

What a bunch of crap:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/militar...-smoking_N.htm

Ban on tobacco urged in military

By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — 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 Institute 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.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Wow. Don't think it'll ever fly.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Exactly what I was going to say Jamie.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Wow Dan, quick to copy and paste my tweet here, lol. You had it up before I could even load CA. Anyways, I think this is flat out ridiculous.

How many heartfelt responses do we all see from the troops because of cigars that we, along with shops, and manufacturers all send over there. It's just sad that things are now coming to this. You can sign up to defend our country, get shot at and potentially get killed, but you can't have a cigar....

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Ha! I saw it posted on ar15 before I saw your tweet :fu

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I would never have believed that a tobacco state like NC would ban smoking in public places either... This should be interesting to see played out.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

It's all good. The more we get the word out the better.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Yep. I totally agree with your statement how they can die for us, but no cigars.

Freaking morons.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

This may be the most retarded thing I've ever read.
I can't even believe my eyes.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Last I knew for the safety of the troops the CO's at bases in southern Texas allowed soldiers 18-21 to drink while on base to keep them from going to Mexico to get drunk. The DOD is fine with that but god forbid they expose themselves to deadly nicotine.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I think it's crazy to prevent anyone that is willing to die for our country from using any legal product. Next thing to ban will be all of those sports cars and motorcycles those young military guys are buying. Don't they know those things are dangerous!

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

"Lost productivity"?

http://www.current.org/hi/hi0612tank.jpg http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xf-wzJ5j_2...%2Bsoldier.jpg http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/825...1E70F2B3269972

Tobacco was once government issue as in GI. It's value as a calmative & appetite suppressant has been known and utilized by soldiers for centuries. As with all things in life the benefits in many cases outweigh the negatives.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Ridiculous. Nanny State FTL...

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I'd think that from a health-conscious standpoint, it'd be highly more advantageous to work on banning being shot at.
I still can't even believe it.
"Boys, drive down that road there and get blown up, but for God's sake, don't smoke. It'll kill ya."

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Well, the N.C. I grew up in is no more. There are many reasons...... I remember people smoking in church in Wilson, N.C.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Next they will be telling us 2nd hand smoke is detrimental to the well-being of the enemy.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Yep...I can see that coming...along with replacing real bullets with rubber ones so they don't kill anyone. :mad:

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

That's ridiculous!

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

North Carolina is filled with carpetbaggers now. What once was a strong conservative state is now turning more and more liberal...

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I heard that on the radio this morning. What a bunch of CRAP!
Taking rights and freedom away from the very people who are out there fighting for them.

:mad:

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

:tpd:

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I wasn't going there, but you're 100% correct my friend :tu

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Man...freedoms are slowly creeping away day by day.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I'm with ya. The same way we can go off to war at 18 but can't have a drink til 21. Maybe a military ID should bypass that law. :2

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Alright, fine, ban tobacco in the Military.

While you're at it, ban Alcohol for all members of Congress.

This is fuggin retarded.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I remember when they first started this crap when I was in the airforce. It started with smoking areas. Their worried about productivity, I remember 3/4th of my time in the military being spent waiting around for stuff to happen.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Hurry Up And Wait ... it may be a cliche but it's still the truth! :D

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Big Daddy Govt telling you what to do and not to do. And tomorrow when you get up, it will be worse!

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

They have been saying this for as long as I have been in. There are a few smoke free bases, but I think that is as far as they will take it...never know for sure, though.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

My guess is that Jack Smith and Cynthia Smith are smokers.
They work in the Pentagon.
They aren't allowed to smoke at work.
Tit for tat, ya know? Maybe if Jack and Cynthia were dropped in a trench under heavy gunfire for a few days, their recommendation might come in a little different.
Or maybe a few of the boys in the dirt could have a little "alone time" with them?

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I wouldn't be surprised to see an article soon about someone wanting to ban guns in the military. :bh

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I love how President Obama has to apologize for his cigarette smoking and act like he's going to be spanked for having a smoke. You're literally supposed to be the alpha male of the country and you're apologizing for using a freedom so that nanny groups won't harass you? Please. Like him or hate him the guy's the President and should behave accordingly.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

They have been talking about this since befire I came in...over 23 years ago, and the only thing that has changed...

- No more smoking on government buildings
- Dedicated smoking areas outside

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I might support that bill:D

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Good point

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Ain't democracy great?
what a load of cow poop

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I think if they pass this the troops should turn to these pentagon health officials pushing this and hand them their rifles and say "you fight this f@#king war, you get shot at!" ...buncha bastards f@#ks. Heaven forbid our boys actually enjoy a smoke while fighting in that 120 degree hell hole of sand....I am sooo sick of all these politicians deciding what's best for people...let the people decide!!!

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Makes me sick at times.....I have another name for carpetbagers but I'll leave that out of the discussion. ;)

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

We use to have a platoon office where we'd hold platoon meetings in the barracks. Half of us smoked, the other half didn't. I just remember the "other half" turning green most of the time. :r :ss

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Then fight your own war, "pentagon health officials".

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Is a carpet bagger a new yorker? I'm neither a southerner or a yankee, but from what I understand you folks in NC have had A LOT of yankees moving down to your state.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Their reasoning is that it costs the Fed. Gov. a lot of money to treat smoking related illness.

By that reasoning they should ban ALL federal employees from using tobacco products. Easier to deny payment for tobacco related illness.

Oh, I forgot. Reasoning? Hahahahaha!

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

My wife and I have discussed selling our house and moving to Costa Rica... seriously.

This kind of stuff just rips the heart out of me - not just the smoking, but the incremental loss of freedoms and strangling grip of government wrapping firmly around the throats of American citizens. :(

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I hear ya Joe :tu It's getting pathetic.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

I see a lot of bashing on liberals in this thread but I'd like to point out a lot of the recent legislature has been passed with tons of conservative, republcan, and even some centrist support.

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

This is typical governmental head up the rectum thinking. The men and women who fight for our freedoms are going to be denied a freedom as basic as enjoying a tobacco product? Welcome to Nazi Germany 2.0

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

If this comes to pass I will be a criminal. :usa

(Proud member of the vast Right Wing Conspiracy.) :ss

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

Fred the "Outlaw"!!!

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

You can't have "tons" of "conservative, republican and even some centrist support" from a democratically controlled house and senate.

The numbers just don't support "tons". You might get away with "one or two jumping ship" but not "tons". :tu

Re: Ban on tobacco urged in military
 

:confused: