Have you seen that they are banning smoking at VA Facilities? What bonehead floated that?

PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:51:08 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2019 9:54 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:54:21 -0400

I see a lot of veterans hanging out at the VA just for the camaraderie. As a non-smoker, it never bothered me.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 11 at 2019 10:03 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 10:03:13 -0400

Saw this earlier this morning in another thread.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 11 at 2019 10:16 AM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 10:16:09 -0400

It's a healthcare facility. I see it as well within common sense to ban an activity that is so damaging to a person's health.

Edit: The hospitals and clinics, anyway.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jun 11 at 2019 10:20 AM

SFC Michael D. — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 10:20:21 -0400

Do you mean smoking areas outside? I know for some people, that's a stress reliever.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2019 11:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 11:23:07 -0400

It's almost like they have the audacity to want you to be healthier while providing your health care, or at least not condoning the continued destruction of your health.
You know how much money is lost on Healthcare due to smoking? $170 billion a year in the US. It makes perfect sense for the VA to actively discourage its use.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 11 at 2019 12:32 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:32:24 -0400

Making them like all other federal facilities...

Response by TSgt Robert Moore made Jun 11 at 2019 2:53 PM

TSgt Robert Moore — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:53:12 -0400

Smoking has been banned at every government facility that I have been to in the last 5 years. What's the big deal?

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2019 3:07 PM

SN Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 15:07:59 -0400

Why should the rest of the population be subjected to the idiocy of those who think its a NECESSITY to smoke cigarettes?? Where's the logic in using them anyway if its known to cause your death?? What BONEHEAD can prove to the rest of us that smoking cigarettes is NECESSARY in order to survive another day?? Show us the proof that smoking anything that contains tobacco is an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY!!

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jun 11 at 2019 4:02 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 16:02:22 -0400

What a stupid ass question!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2019 6:47 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:47:33 -0400

And this is a problem, why? As a reformed smoker, I can't stand to be around cigarette smoke, so I avoid those places where smokers tend to gather. The last place I want to walk through a cloud of smoke is on my way into or out of a medical facility. So, leave the smokes in the car, take care of you business at the VA, get back in your car and blaze away.

Response by Max Ross made Jun 12 at 2019 12:40 PM

Max Ross — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 12:40:26 -0400

Though smoking is a stress reliever (sometimes the LEAST destructive coping they have to attend their (psychiatric) treatment. It would be by working actively and collaboratively they could transition from using smoking to another less destructive coping. I'm not a proponent of substances however, recognize we have to work with the most pragmatic approach. "Don't do this" often results in rebellious behavior. How the message is delivered can sometimes be as (or more) important as the policy. Yes there are those who will be more blunt about it regardless of how we word things, however the presentation still has an impact on reception.

Having people smoke OFF grounds is a rational policy. One would hope that we still care about the well-being of our neighbors to be conscious enough to take actions that may not jeopardize this.