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.
[Reply]

Wow. Don't think it'll ever fly.
[Reply]

Exactly what I was going to say Jamie.
[Reply]

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....
[Reply]

Ha! I saw it posted on ar15 before I saw your tweet :-)
[Reply]

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.
[Reply]

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

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

Freaking morons.
[Reply]

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

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.
[Reply]

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!
[Reply]

"Lost productivity"?

Image Image Image

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.
[Reply]

Ridiculous. Nanny State FTL...
[Reply]

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."
[Reply]

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.
[Reply]

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

Yep...I can see that coming...along with replacing real bullets with rubber ones so they don't kill anyone. :-)
[Reply]

That's ridiculous!
[Reply]

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

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.

:-)
[Reply]