Are Soldier's using tobacco (chewing/smoking) less today?

2014-01-18T13:36:22-05:00

It appears to me that we as a military might have finally turned the corner with regards to tobacco use. I noticed the other day in my section, we received new SFC and she was the only smoker in our 12 person section. I remember when I entered the Army, I was the only non-smoker in an 8 man section! I just wanted to see what other people may have observed from their foxhole...

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 18 at 2014 4:56 PM

2014-01-18T16:56:33-05:00

I think one that people are beginning to realize more the health issues, and also that the military is offering more services in the last decade to try and help SMs better their health in regards to smoking and other vices as well.

There will always be smokers in my opinion as there are people that are going to do it no matter what you do to either help or deter them as they have had the habit for so long or don't believe the long term effects will happen to them, or they just don't care either way.

But I do agree that we have decreased the amount of smokers we now see in the military for various reasons, and it is making for a healthy service in my opinion.

I can relate to your statement of when you came in, back in the stone age LOL when I came in if you weren't a smoker you were looked at as the weirdo.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2014 9:46 AM

2014-03-08T09:46:14-05:00

I agree but as far as tobacco users go. I think its based upon your area and job! When I was in artillery we had way more tobacco users then in signal. Maybe its cause the stress level of the job; but as a non tobacco user I don't think its fair to many unnecessary breaks for smokers!

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Mar 12 at 2014 4:06 AM

2014-03-12T04:06:51-04:00

To me I am see it increase because of the electronic cigs. I see more soldiers smoking that now. Also I still see a lot of soldiers dipping too.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 3:51 PM

2014-03-12T15:51:45-04:00

I for one have seen a shift from the non smokers being in the minority to the smokers being the minority. On my installation they are increasingly making it more difficult to smoke.

I like the idea of our forces being 100% smoke-free...it may not be realistic, but we are getting closer daily.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Mar 13 at 2014 12:05 AM

2014-03-13T00:05:45-04:00

When we Commissioned USS ANZIO (CG-68) in 1996, the CO and I discussed smoking and other subjects at length. It was a discussion and not a demand by any means. He requested that the ship be Smoke Free inside the Skin of the Ship. He would not, however dictate what we did in the Chief Petty Officer's Mess. The Commanding Officer made it clear to me that this was a request and I could do what I wanted to do in MY mess. He also said that as the CO, he would not allow the sale of tobacco products in our Ships Store. he felt it was not right to support crew morale programs by profiting on the health of our Shipmates.

As Command Master Chief, the ultimate decision in the Mess was really mine. I did however, welcome debate and solicited input form other members. After much talk and arguing, we decided to try it for three months. A smoke free CPO Mess.

In three months we met again and decided that this was a good idea. Our Chiefs had visited many other Cruisers CPO Messes that allowed smoking. Even the smokers asked that we keep our Mess smoke free.

Response by MSG(P) Thomas Finn made Mar 13 at 2014 1:48 AM

2014-03-13T01:48:20-04:00

Growing up in the late 60's and 70's everyone smoked. Yes, times have changed and we are a more educated Soldier but the idea is to get all to stop across the board, across the land. There consequences and cost are too high and there is no benifit at all.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 26 at 2014 5:27 PM

2014-03-26T17:27:21-04:00

Apparently the Navy is considering stopping the sale of cigarettes to sailors in the commissaries and on ships.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/25/navy-eliminate-tobacco-sales/6859291/

Navy mulls banning tobacco sales on bases, ships

WASHINGTON — The Navy is on the verge of eliminating tobacco sales on all its bases and ships, according to sources inside and outside the Defense Department.

Response by CPL Stephen Kirt made Mar 26 at 2014 5:28 PM

2014-03-26T17:28:13-04:00

Well personally, in my last unit there were a majority of smokers just because that was the only way to get breaks during the day. In the unit I'm currently in, I would say it's about half. We work shifts inside, so when we take breaks we get fresh air but it's not restricted to smokers only. I have also seen many more e-cigarettes here than I did at my last unit, although they're not allowed indoors.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-09-10T13:57:01-04:00

Show me an infantry battalion, and I'll show you there is no such thing as tobacco cessation. :)