How long did it take you to quit smoking cigarettes after DoD started to officially discourage smoking in 1986?

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:45:48 -0500

The US Army was smoking in the civil war and probably earlier. In WWII cigarettes were included in rations in part because service men and women liked to smoke and in part because the tobacco companies wanted to encourage smoking. In the late 1970's and early 1980's studies were conducted and released that demonstrated smoking was bad for us.
First change was smoking was limited to designated smoking areas in garrison. In 1986 DoD Directive 1010.10 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention began to emphasize that tobacco use was a health issue.
When I enlisted in 1974 smoking was encouraged and if you smoked you could take a smoke break. Sometimes non-smokers had to continue the work detail while smokers took a break.
Did the DoD program to discourage smoking help you to quit smoking?

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Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 11:47 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:47:59 -0500

LOL Well, I beat them by 23 years. But, didn't quit pipe and cigars until summer '86

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 4 at 2015 11:49 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:49:52 -0500

I didn't realize that DoD modified the health directive in 1986. The military had been discouraging smoking where I was in the early 1980's. I quit smoking after I left company command in the fall of 1986. Learning the health impacts of smoking helped me to quit. I had tried to quit before a couple times but those attempts were unsuccessful.

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Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 11:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:52:21 -0500

The DoD discourages smoking? The way I see Military folk smoking nowadays, you could have fooled me with that statement.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 4 at 2015 11:54 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:54:09 -0500

The only time I smoked in the military was when I was hooked in wrong rappelling from a helicopter, and that stopped as soon as I got those gloves off.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 4 at 2015 12:00 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 12:00:59 -0500

Never did, never wanted to, never saw the allure as a kid, adult or now an old guy.

Response by Alan K. made Nov 4 at 2015 1:41 PM

Alan K. — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:41:03 -0500

30 days with the patch. After 24 years of smoking

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Nov 4 at 2015 2:12 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:12:57 -0500

I started smoking at the age of 14...but was never a smoker like my friends. A pack would last me a week or more. After entering the service and getting to my first assignment I went to the BX and purchased a carton of cigarettes. I'd never thought about quiting before this. I got back to my office. Opened the carton, took out a package. Opened the package....and thought Why do I smoke? I took out one cigarette and put it in my middle desk drawer. Took the rest of the pack and the carton and put it in the trash. One year later I took the cigarette out of my desk drawer and threw it away.
No help with any DoD programs back then. This was in the fall of 1983
Personally I think anyone can quit if they just put their mind to it.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 4 at 2015 2:29 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:29:27 -0500

Fortunately I never took up the habit LTC Stephen F.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 4 at 2015 2:30 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:30:42 -0500

I didn't quit until I had been retired about 2 yrs. Tried to quit soon after I retired, but the wife said I was to angry and jumpy and smoking was the only thing that would calm me down at first.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 2:34 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:34:09 -0500

I was a civ when I quit the first time and I quit cold turkey. Seven years later, I got around my family and started smoking again. Cold turkey wasn't happening. Thirty days after starting the chantix program, in Sept 2008 I laid down the last pack and haven't looked back.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Nov 4 at 2015 2:44 PM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:44:55 -0500

I quit smoking on November 8, 2002. Can't hardly stand the smell of it now.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 4 at 2015 3:35 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 15:35:24 -0500

In 86" I was 9 years old, and I did not know what DoD was back then. lol

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 4 at 2015 4:39 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:39:43 -0500

Quite to the contrary; LTC Stephen F.. Our Drill Sergeants gave us the shout out: "Light 'em up if you got em'."
It took me many failed attempts to quit smoking; until I finally succeeded in quitting in 1990. I was teaching emotionally handicapped children, as a Teachers' Aide; at the time. I just decided that the Nicorette gum was too expensive.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 4 at 2015 6:34 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 18:34:26 -0500

I quit smoking after leaving the military. It was too expensive. We used to pay $2 for a carton at the PX (but keep in mind that we were only paid $89/month (E1) in those days).

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 4 at 2015 10:29 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 22:29:18 -0500

I never smoked but I do dip. I've cut down over the years and now I dip the pouches instead of loose tobacco, but I am still addicted.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 5 at 2015 2:27 AM

MAJ Alvin B. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 02:27:37 -0500

Never started.

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Nov 5 at 2015 12:44 PM

Cpl Robert Clark — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:44:11 -0500

of course they were still $10 a carton...

Response by SSgt Tom Kavanaugh made Nov 5 at 2015 2:01 PM

SSgt Tom Kavanaugh — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:01:56 -0500

It takes one decision to quit smoking. Anyone in the military has the self-discipline and mental strength training to do it!

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Nov 6 at 2015 6:02 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 18:02:41 -0500

after 21 years of smoking 2 1/2 packs a day i only stopped when the doctor said if i didn't i would be dead in a few months.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 6 at 2015 8:44 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 20:44:34 -0500

I've never had a cigarette in my mouth, LTC Stephen F.. I guess that's why, as an enlisted man, I particularly detested picking up cigarette butts on police call that had been in other people's mouths!
There was a great upside to not smoking, though. Since the old C-Rations (actually MCIs since 1958) included cigarettes, I had a distinct advantage. In the field, I could trade cigarettes for food! With Marlboro or Winston cigarettes, I was almost guaranteed my choice. Many times I had my choice of a Meat Unit or a Dessert Unit. My favorite trade was always the D-1 (Fruit): Halved Apricots, Sliced Peaches, Quartered Pears, or Fruit Cocktail!

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 6 at 2015 9:09 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 21:09:37 -0500

I never quit smoking. Two of my favorite things in the military were super cheap cigs and cheap beer. If I had ever been sent somewhere like some of the current assignments where no beer is allowed I might have deserted.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 7 at 2015 12:09 AM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 00:09:36 -0500

I picked the habit up in MCT (1992) and finally quit cold turkey in 2006. I was that proverbial chimney, pack a day unless it Friday or Saturday liberty on the town where it was bumped to two packs per day.
In '06 I sat back and looked at what I was spending in bad habits - coffee, booze, smokes and energy drinks. Being the cheap bastard that I am this was down right stupid in my eyes. Plus I had three combat deployments under the belt and walked away unscathed, so why would I do myself in?
I quit cold turkey which was miserable going. In addition to the cigarettes I had to give up everything that made me want to smoke. Coffee and idle hands were the hardest to wrestle. However I haven't had a smoke since nor do I want one; the smell gives me a headache now.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Nov 7 at 2015 1:23 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 01:23:24 -0500

1 day! Smoked for almost 40 years, 3 years ago the doctors told me right before I had 2 stents put in my heart, that if I continued to smoke, they would give me maybe a year to love. I have a 6 year old daughter, sothe choice was easy, haven't touched one since!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 2:02 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 02:02:32 -0500

I quit smoking during my 2nd tour in Iraq on May 2008.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Nov 7 at 2015 2:49 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 02:49:01 -0500

Never smoked, but I did chew for a while. I was in the back country of Idaho, ran out of chew and that was that. When I ran out I figured it was a good time to stop, so I did. In a way it was pretty easy due to the fact I was in there by myself, no one coming in, no way out. Glad I ran out.

Response by James Mendenhall made Nov 7 at 2015 9:13 AM

James Mendenhall — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 09:13:45 -0500

10% of cancer survivors cannot stop smoking

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jul 3 at 2019 8:18 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 20:18:09 -0400

No.. didn’t smoke cigarettes .. i’d Get a good cigar and cut off half and save it.. and smoke half of it..

Response by SPC Perry Gresham made Jul 3 at 2019 9:30 PM

SPC Perry Gresham — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 21:30:00 -0400

I went through basic in 86 and they said we were the last cycle that would hear "smoke them if you have them". Looking back I wish they would have started that in 85. Think I would be in better shape today.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 4 at 2019 12:04 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 00:04:33 -0400

LTC Stephen F. Smoked from 14 until I was 39 and Retired from the Navy 1997. Really got started smoking a lot while in Boot Camp. Smoke Break was the only break you got. Tried to quit several times stopped for about a year took up 5k runs and eating a lot of Raisins (After Taste is a lot like cigarettes and the sugar rush is similar to Nicotine). Took up Long Bike rides when I quit for good. I've stopped the long bike rides but haven't taken back to smoking which is just fine with me. Now Drinking. Not Giving that Up Yet. LOL!

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Jul 4 at 2019 12:34 AM

CWO3 Dave Alcantara — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 00:34:12 -0400

I luckily never picked up that habit/addiction.

When I went through boot camp in 1976, the b.s. the smokers had to deal with to partake in the ritual was kind of funny to watch.

Whenever a smoke break was given, the non smokers were given an opportunity to have a soda. So we got a break too.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Jul 4 at 2019 12:45 AM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 00:45:10 -0400

Never smoked, never wanted to. Devil weed never passed my lips ...

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jul 4 at 2019 5:50 AM

Maj Robert Thornton — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 05:50:41 -0400

I quit Dec 1, 1986. No smoking allowed in the medical center, we could not wear scrubs below the 2nd floor. No way to change into my uniform, go outside, smoke and drink coffee, come back, change into scrubs in a 15 minute break.

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Jul 4 at 2019 10:26 AM

SSG Donald H "Don" Bates — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 10:26:11 -0400

I quit cold turkey in 1974 after smoking four packs a day.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2019 11:11 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 11:11:54 -0400

Never got addicted to death sticks, the occasional (celebratory) cigar for sure.

No question as to the thetruth.com (link); however, many still light up w/the good news = numbers seem to be on the decrease. In the meantime some (military industrial complex) nonstandard issue silver plate that I found to add value = a Zippo along w/some (filtered) cruise missiles. Not for myself but simply to be able to offer a light and or (admittedly bad) inhalation therapy to a guest, co-worker, friend or stranger (domestic and foreign).

When the (24/7) FAB went down, sure was helpful to have maintained excellent diplomatic relations with the (chain-smoking) Maintenance Manager, (Day/Swing/Grave shift) Leads and Techs and since most were long-suffering Sharks fans the right metallica helped w/the cleanup. As for back in the day C-Ratting, trading or simply giving away = perfect sense. Likewise smoke signaling with ROK allies, KATSUs and others.

https://www.thetruth.com/

truth - #FinishIT

Now less than 6% of teens smoke. That's down from 23% in 2000 and from 7% last year! We can get it to 0%. We're already so close.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 4 at 2019 11:45 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 11:45:31 -0400

I quit in 1969, so not long! :-)

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 4 at 2019 11:55 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 11:55:46 -0400

I became a fallen athlete in 1967 after my last game senior year in college and took up smoking and drinking. Fall of 1969 was camping in Sequoia National Park with my fiance and woke up with a horrible cigarette taste in my mouth and decided then and there to stop smoking. Quit cold turkey and haven't had one since. Oh, the drinking continued though! :-)

Response by PO3 Lynn Spalding made Jul 4 at 2019 7:57 PM

PO3 Lynn Spalding — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 19:57:23 -0400

I smoked stogies and pipe.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Sep 14 at 2019 5:40 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 17:40:45 -0400

I used to get a box of Tampa sweets via a friend.. that I was in vo-tech with.. a box lasted a while. I layed off them and then joined Reserves. I didn’t smoke at all so I could do good in p.t. I’d been away from it for a long while. I realized I needed my tastebuds be alive so I could sample the food to make sure it came out right. When I had a 3 or 4 day break from work I might have a short cigar. I’d cut a 5” in half and smoke it.. maybe share other half with s’one else .. not many, mostly the older workers would take me up on the other half..