Posted on Mar 24, 2014
Banning Tobacco Sales on Military Installations
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Good idea or bad idea? Why or why not?<br><br><span style="color: rgb(75, 73, 66); font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">The Navy is on the verge of eliminating tobacco sales on all its bases and ships. If implemented, should the rest of the military follow suit?</span><br><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.armyreenlistment.com/profile.gif"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.armyreenlistment.com/news-banning-tobacco-sales.html">Navy mulls banning tobacco sales on all bases, ships</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">10 Years Army Strong for Soldiers and Families</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
Posted in these groups: 
Cigars
Smokeless Tobacco
Cigars Smokeless Tobacco
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 23
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Ban tobacco sales, but not use. MWR may be subsidized by tobacco purchases on military installations, however, that dismal amount of money is nothing compared to the healthcare dollars DoD bleeds to pay for tobacco associated diseases. As former 2 pack a day smoker, a military healthcare worker and veteran, I have seen first hand the devastation tobacco reaps. People will still use tobacco, but taking away one easy step in the chain might actually save lives by convincing some to stop using.
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SFC Stephen P.
Could you elaborate on these costs?
My understanding of tobacco related illness is that they mostly manifest later in life (beyond normal service ages). Assuming the injuries are not service connected (if they are, they largely oughtn't be), the primary medical cost would be associated with retirees.
Therefore we would have to apply a bit more complex math: Healthcare savings prior to Medicare eligibility - cost of pensions and benefits resultant of increased life span + survivor benefits - increased cost of recruiting and retaining a less interested force.
I'm still not convinced that banning sale will have any measurable impact on consumption.
My understanding of tobacco related illness is that they mostly manifest later in life (beyond normal service ages). Assuming the injuries are not service connected (if they are, they largely oughtn't be), the primary medical cost would be associated with retirees.
Therefore we would have to apply a bit more complex math: Healthcare savings prior to Medicare eligibility - cost of pensions and benefits resultant of increased life span + survivor benefits - increased cost of recruiting and retaining a less interested force.
I'm still not convinced that banning sale will have any measurable impact on consumption.
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Military members won't stop smoking or chewing. They will simply go on the economy to get it. So if its banned on Navy installations, the gold rush towns that always surround military bases will gain a large revenue rush. If not that, then Mom and Dad will be sending care packages even when their young SMs are in garrison. No, it won't stop the SM from using tobacco.
My question would be if they stop sales, are they going to permanently ban smoking anywhere on post? Right now you step outside (at least 50 feet) a government building and you are good to go. But will SMs have to wait until they exit the access control gate to light up?
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That may cause some issues with morale, but at least they should be able to buy it from a civilian store still right? That isn't a ban on possession it doesn't sound like. My issue would still be the morale.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Morale will absolutely drop. In the world of diminishing benefits, I actually save a TON purchasing them on post. It is at least double the price to buy them elsewhere. Also, would this be worldwide? I know overseas, though the brand may be the same, the cigarettes are much different. They are too harsh for me. Also, my type is only available on military installations.
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