MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Service members deployed during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War had cigarettes rationed to them. Today, in the midst of the Global War on Terror, service members may face a contrasting issue - the Department of Defense is considering prohibiting tobacco use.
In June, the nonprofit Institute of Medicine recommended the ban after completing a study requested by the DoD.
The recommended ban would phase in starting with university-based Reserve Officer Training programs, followed by the newly enlisted, and then to all other active-duty personnel.
The report states that tobacco use leads to a variety of health issues, costing the DoD millions of dollars every year. However, many service members could see this ban as an unjust intrusion on their personal lives.
“I think this ban would be great for the health of the Corps, but I would hate to see our rights taken away,” said Maj. Phillip Brooking, the plans officer for the Aviation Logistics Department for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3.
The DoD has recognized the discontent among the ranks in the military and as of July 14 decided not to ban tobacco in the military.
The prohibition of tobacco in the military could also cause problems with the morale of service members, explained Army Sgt. Steven Reid, a military police officer at the Naval Consolidated Brig aboard the air station.
“I think service members have a predisposition to smoking because of the high-stress jobs that many of us have,” said Reid. “Everybody has different ways to relieve stress. If smoking provides someone with some stress relief and you take that away, you’re going to have some problems.”
Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon’s press secretary, explained that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, doesn’t want to add to the stress levels of troops fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by taking away tobacco products. However, Gates plans on pursuing the goal of a smoke-free military, according to an interview with the Associated Press.
Even though a military-wide ban of tobacco products has not occurred, the DoD still discourages tobacco use.
If a service member would like to quit using tobacco products, Marine Corps Community Services offers free smoking cessation classes to active-duty and retired service members, and their dependents.
This behavior modification-based program consists of group support, and the use of nicotine patches and Zyban. Classes start on the first Tuesday of each month and run for a total of three, one-hour sessions in the Semper Fit Center’s conference room. Classes begin at 11:30 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m.
For more information on the classes, call the health promotions director at (858) 577-1331.
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