Posted on Mar 15, 2015
Should Soldiers be allowed to smoke legal tobacco products in the barracks area or other public areas?
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Just today a SGM approached me regarding my Soldiers smoking a Hooka with legal tobacco outside the building in a semi-secluded area. He stated that it looked unprofessional, but is a smoker himself who does not use designated smoke areas, but does stay at least 25 feet from the building.
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Is there more to the story MSG (Join to see)....there are many ways to smoke tobacco, find another method other than a way that is glamorized on the movie screen with smoking something less than legal, and check the reg again, typically there is no smoking within 50 feet of government buildings, if that has changed, I'd appreciate you learning me.
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MSG (Join to see)
CSM, there is no more to the story. The SGM did not think it presented a professional appearance, of which I agreed. However, many cultures do readily accept hooka pipe smoking as a cultural norm and has been gaining popularity in the States. For the record, I did check their substances, of which all were legal tobacco, similar to pipe tobacco. There was happy middle ground by moving their smoke area to a secluded sight, but it did bring to question about Soldiers using vaporizers which in essence is about the same thing. According to http://www.army.mil/article/15597/government-extends-workplace-smoking-ban/ the 25 foot rule seems to be correct. I do not condone or believe in glamourizing smoking, but if it's not illegal, I try not to judge. My personal opinion was more focused about the appearance. I think dipping is a very unprofessional appearing habit, but it is openly accepted in outside work areas.
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1SG (Join to see)
CSM,
AR 600-63 does not prohibit smoking in all government buildings, just workplaces. Tobacco use has stipulations for barracks and housing areas but is not prohibited.
AR 600-63 does not prohibit smoking in all government buildings, just workplaces. Tobacco use has stipulations for barracks and housing areas but is not prohibited.
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First, we must ask ourselves if smoking is a professional habit at all? Simply put, it's not. In no way, shape or form. It's just a habit some service members have.
Then, it's a case of what accommodations are made for it. The government policy is no smoking in government owned/controlled buildings, and last I heard within 25' as a matter of safety/health.
It sounds like the service member in question made reasonable attempts "to be as professional as possible" by going to a semi-secluded area.
All that said, the tighter the policy gets, the more people try to control it, the more people will be willing to bypass policy. As long as people are using reasonable judgement, minor differences of opinion about what appears professional in what is essentially a matter that cannot be objectively measured, should stay out of policy.
Then, it's a case of what accommodations are made for it. The government policy is no smoking in government owned/controlled buildings, and last I heard within 25' as a matter of safety/health.
It sounds like the service member in question made reasonable attempts "to be as professional as possible" by going to a semi-secluded area.
All that said, the tighter the policy gets, the more people try to control it, the more people will be willing to bypass policy. As long as people are using reasonable judgement, minor differences of opinion about what appears professional in what is essentially a matter that cannot be objectively measured, should stay out of policy.
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MSG (Join to see)
I agree and by no means did I think the SGM mishandle the situation. Sometimes when old school meet new school of thought and norms, these situations arise. As seen with the new Army Tattoo Policy. Anyways, thanks for your thoughts and for the record, I do not smoke or chew anything.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
MSG (Join to see) I got the impression the SGM was inviting feedback. Perhaps running his thoughts out loud to get a better feel for it.
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