What do you think of banning cigarettes for service members?

2014-10-08T22:54:05-04:00

Just saw a video of Congress debating on banning tobacco product use by service members. Not just the sale, but possession and use of them as well. I understand that they want a healthier and more professional looking military, but I see that ban as a total failure. I don't smoke but I do understand that smokers light up to relax as well as the infamous reason of smoking to prevent killing people (humor people, it's humor). I do know that smoking does cost a lot of money in health care.

I was wondering what everyone else's take on this is.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 12:03 AM

2014-10-09T00:03:44-04:00

They are taking too many liberties with my freedoms. I should be able to enjoy a Cigar and Rum when I am not on duty or going on duty in the near future. Unless I am on recall status, I should be able to relax and enjoy that freedom.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 9 at 2014 7:26 AM

2014-10-09T07:26:12-04:00

Even without consideration to the currently serving population, the eligible population of future recruits is already dwindling (see the post under the Command Post tab if you haven't already), I see no reason to limit it even further.
Tobacco is a hard monkey to get rid of, I know first hand, took me years! Keep the programs in place to educate and help those who make the choice to quit, but to go to the point of UCMU or Chapter action for using tobacco products is just way too extreme, even during a draw down.

Response by SGT Monica Tattrie made Oct 9 at 2014 10:05 AM

2014-10-09T10:05:09-04:00

In the military I started smoking because it was the only time I could get a break! Not much of an excuse but its the truth. I think it is crazy to tell someone they are not allowed to smoke, yes we get it, smoking is unhealthy and it stinks and it causes health problems, but nobody says smack about the ppl who choose to 'dip' tobacco. it might bot have a smell but its grosses me out when I see ppl jus spitting it or having it in stuck between their teeth or oln their lip and most of all carring that nasty 'spit bottle' blahhh.... what a bout the ones who do not use tobacco products, they all have their own poison rather its chewing gum to drinking alcohol. I would rather smoke a cigarette than punch someone for stupidity.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 10:12 AM

2014-10-09T10:12:02-04:00

I just don't understand why it matters to the law makers if service members smoke or not. If they are going to ban it for the Military, will any and all politicians who smoke all of a sudden stop smoking as well? I do not smoke, but I don't think that I could justify infringing on someone else's freedom like that for no reason. There are plenty of other things that Congress could focus on with regards to making the Military better, and honestly smoking is far from the top.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 4:33 PM

2014-10-09T16:33:55-04:00

Great topic SPC Daniel Edwards !

Here's where I stand.... First of all, let me say I'm a former smoker, from a family of smokers. My great grandfather's all smoked and it went through the next family member, etc., on down, etc.....

Back in my grandfather's day, there was no medical proof that smoking or dipping or snuff were bad for our health. Yes, there was anecdotal evidence - but nothing that would stand up to scientific scrutiny. Of course, we all know how the tobacco industry lied their a$$e$ off when faced with a mounting pile of scientific evidence in the 60's and 70's. None of the three - smoking, chewing/dipping or snuff are good in any manner for one's health. Proof positive - done. Fini. What does that mean? Basically, anyone today, born after 1976 has no excuse in not knowing that any form of tobacco intake is not good for your health. So, those who dip, chew, snuff or smoke do so with the absolute knowledge that it's not a healthy habit. Period.

Everyone with me so far?

Where do we go from here? We, as a society and a military have already said that illegal drug use AND excessive legal drug use is anathema to good order and discipline . The military already excludes people from service if they have taken certain legal prescriptions as children for treatment of ADHD because of potential emotional and mental issues...now remember that's only due to POTENTIAL issues, not due to exhibited behavior.

There is nothing positive that comes from smoking, dipping, chewing, etc - any argument to the opposite is not based on scientific fact.

So, why should we allow anyone that shows use of tobacco in the service penalty free? Why should we permit smokers, dippers, chewers a free pass? If we're gonna let them in, there should be a clause in their contract that states all issues even potentially related to tobacco use will NOT be covered by military health care and will preclude any VA healthcare in the future. Let's be realistic - tobacco users and their health problems cost BILLIONS upon BILLIONS in needed healthcare that the greater majority of the NON-tobacco users never have to deal with. Insurance companies made the connection decades ago - they charge smokers more AND THEY SHOULD. Your car insurance goes up if you get a DUI/DWI - AND IT SHOULD. Alcoholics and those who use bad decision making when drunk pay for their mistakes - why? Because they did it to themselves, on their own with full knowledge of the effects and the options, and did it not just once, but repeatedly...over and over - probably thousands of times before getting caught.

So, we punish AD that get caught ....

Why should we let in people that use tobacco - when there is absolutely nothing good gonna come out of it? Why should we keep people that insist on continuing to use tobacco?

Sure, it's your right to injest all the tobacco you want - but it's not something we as a military should approve of or allow to continue. Tobacco users tend to cost our military healthcare more in care than non-tobacco use - simply because of the negative effects of tobacco on the body. Why should we spend more money for healthcare on people that insist on doing the wrong thing to their body by insisting on injesting a substance that does absolutely nothing positive to the body? If a tobacco user wants to use tobacco - let him/her pay for any health-related issues that might be caused by smoking, dipping or chewing.....out of their own pocket.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 4:40 PM

2014-10-09T16:40:20-04:00

The Nanny state comes to mind. Sad that they want to regulate sugar intake, alcohol, cigarettes and a myriad of other things just to cover the sh*tty job they are doing elsewhere. How about this? Mind your damn business! This is why Congressional approval ratings are so low.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 11:13 PM

2014-10-09T23:13:36-04:00

We can also ban alcohol. While we are at it, let's cut out fattening foods from the DFAC. And let's ban caffeine, too.

While Congress is at it, they should consider making bubble-suits standard issue. And instead of PCs, we should all wear Kevlars and body armor...in garrison.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Oct 10 at 2014 3:11 PM

2014-10-10T15:11:59-04:00

Well, guns kill people, right? Maybe we should ban those in the military as well. Look at how many vehicle roll overs we have per year. Should probably elimante vehicles while we're at it. Coffee is bad, get rid of it. Energy drinks are bad, ban them. But you know what, ignorance can cause death, too. We should eliminate stupidity as well. Ignorance is bliss, unless you're aware of it. Soldiers die while running during PT, so we should cancel PT. Not even the PT belt can stop death.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 10:18 PM

2014-10-10T22:18:46-04:00

They want to increase the rates of homicide and suicide I think

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 11:27 PM

2014-10-10T23:27:10-04:00

How about the old adage, regarding geese. They can ban tobacco products for service members when they include themselves in the ban.

Response by SPC Lisa Nolasco made Oct 16 at 2014 10:56 PM

2014-10-16T22:56:03-04:00

There goes half of the military lol

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-03-16T22:49:51-04:00

How would such a ban work?

It's 2248 on a Monday as I write this. I'm in my own home. I live off-post. Would there be someone coming to my home to make sure I have no cigarettes here? What if my wife were a smoker? The military has no jurisdiction over her off post.

I see this idiocy only being enforced on those in the barracks and possibly smoking in public on post by anyone. If you're married and/or living off post, you would still be able to get away with smoking in your own home.

And what about Reserves and Guard? We are technically not under the UCMJ when we're not on IDT or AT/ADT/ADSW, etc.... How are they going to enforce the ban on us?

Response by SPC Benjamin Smith made Mar 16 at 2015 10:56 PM

2015-03-16T22:56:40-04:00

Ridiculous. That is all.

Response by SN Donald Hoffman made Aug 22 at 2019 11:50 PM

2019-08-22T23:50:52-04:00

I find it absolutely ridiculous to take tobacco away from military. It is a stress relief. Yes, it is a health issue. However, going into harms way is health risk. Leave the military alone.