Do you think class rooms should be separated between smokers and non smokers if there are enough students of each type to make it work?

COL Thomas F. — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 09:27:15 -0500

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Nov 30 at 2017 9:28 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 09:28:58 -0500

Not at all. Smokers can take it outside during breaks. Non-smokers shouldn't be exposed to other people's unhealthy habits.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Nov 30 at 2017 9:45 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 09:45:42 -0500

I don't see why. Coming from a guy who has smoked for the past 14 years, smokers can wait until the end of class to burn one down. If you were at work you can't always just go smoke. It doesn't work that way. Suck it up and Charlie mike.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 11:07 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 11:07:08 -0500

I had a friend in college that smoked. She was a gorgeous girl, but it followed her around. It was in her clothes and hair all the time, and it permeated across the aisle. I don't know that enough room would be available in a classroom to outrun the smell of cigarette smoke.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 30 at 2017 4:49 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 16:49:59 -0500

No. It is a military bad practice. Smokers are notorious for breaking discipline in training ambush or on patrol. I had to have SNCO's and NCO's search for cigarettes prior to sending out patrols, listening posts, and observation posts. Spend enough time in the field and you can smell a smoker from a long way, ambushes and patrols blown again. It is legal so I couldn't stop them from smoking on their own time, (before morning quarters and after secure) but it got you and your chain of command up to and including me, a Saturday 25 miler step off at 1900, if you did it on my time, garrison or field.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 30 at 2017 6:02 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 18:02:19 -0500

But what would the end goal be? Is it to smoke in the classroom? Is it so that one class gets a break while the other keeps pushing on? Why the need to segregate based on bad habits?

Personally I don't think it would work ever. Because this cycle, you might have an even 50/50 mix of smokers and non-smokers to make it work. But what about next cycle when the mix is 75/25 or 25/75. Do you hold back a class from progressing until enough smokers or non-smokers are available to make the class work.

Bad idea all around.

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made Nov 30 at 2017 10:16 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:16:07 -0500

When I joined the service in basic training we had to stand in formation with smokers (butt suckers) allowed to smoke and we could not leave.

Their inconvenience about going outside away from the building does not bother me at the least. (I always hope it rains on them also.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 2 at 2017 9:54 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 09:54:54 -0500

If I'm not mistaken, all government buildings are non-smoking (supposed to be tobacco free entirely). The question is a moot point IMO. Given the proven health risks of tobacco use, we should be encouraging members to stop using instead of making it easier to destroy their health.

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Dec 22 at 2017 7:18 AM

Cpl Bill Johnson — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 07:18:31 -0500

The services should, in no way, facilitate the addictions of it's members.