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July 10, 2009
Helping The Enemy Obama?? ~ "Ban on tobacco urged in military "
DOD considering banning smoking, regardless of social experiment's effect on morale and cohesion
Ban on tobacco urged in military
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.
Wild Thing's comment......
OH I see it's ok for the Commander in Chief to smoke but not the front line soldier. Obama's hate for our military knows no bounds.
He wants to force troops with high powered weapons, under a great deal of stress in the field, to quit nicotine? I would SO want to see him try to relieve one of our soldiers of his Marlboros, or of his chew.
So what is Obama hoping for the recruiters close up shop?
Tobacco keeps you alert when you are exhausted. It is a stimulant in extreme conditions and heightens your senses. GIs smoked in every war we have been in . . . What a crock of shit. What an absolute crock!!
Just think, if they were in prison, they’d be able to smoke! What are we, nuts, or what!!!!!
One of the physiological effects of nicotine is the constriction of the peripheral blood vessels--which can give the impression of offsetting the effects of alcohol, but can also slow the progress of shock. Which is why so many tobacco consumers want a smoke or a chew in times of extreme stress or after a traumatic experience.
Go ahead, demoralize and screw with the morale of 1 in every 3 military Troops. I mean, it’s only 120 degrees where they are fighting for your filthy dumb ass Obama and they could use some more stress.
These men are facing possible death every single day as they protect our country. If they want a cig before or after a battle..the country should not only ‘allow’ it, but provide them!!
I have so had it with Obama, he just won't stop hampering our military.
What is next, cussing, sugary drinks, gum?
CIC Obama forcing troops to be on their mission with their hands tied.
Marines must not return enemy fire for fear of killing an Afghan non-combatant.Don’t shoot back! IF there is any possibility there are civilians around. Especially the women ( Taliban cross dressing in Burqas)
"ABC Correspondent Mike Boettcher, who is embedded with Golf Company, reports that the young Marines, when ambushed by Taliban forces with automatic weapons, were ordered to shoulder their rifles. Their command, Boettcher writes, warned them that “one civilian casualty could negate the No. 1 objective of this operation – – winning the trust and respect of the farmers of the Helmand River Valley.”
Be careful of the Poppy Fields.
And now the very possible BAN on smoking.
God Save the United States of America — from itself !!!
Posted by Wild Thing at July 10, 2009 04:55 PM
Comments
Smokescreen WT, what's this?
Posted by: Jack at July 10, 2009 05:56 PM
Well you pretty much summed it up. I don't smoke anymore, but for 21 years in the military I did as did most military types. It was my choice to stop, however even though I haven't smoked for 10 years I still want one when I am stessed or really pissed off. obama will do anything he can to bring down our military and if things keep going like they are he will succede.
Posted by: Old Soldier at July 10, 2009 05:58 PM
I smoked when I was in the Army. It seems like half the guys I served with smoked. Glad I quit, but the last people I would bug about quitting are combat troops.
Everything you say about the physiological and psychological effects of smoking are true Wild Thing. If smoking a cigarette helps one GI calm his nerves or relieve stress, let him light up.
obama has been photographed smoking marijuana and has admitted to cocaine use. WTF? Is he supposed to be a god above the rest of us mortals? Piss on obama(sounds like a muslim praise doesn't it).
To all the non smoking GIs who had to pick up the cigarette butts of us smokers on police call, this is a good time to say I am sorry for the butts I did not field strip.
Posted by: TomR at July 10, 2009 05:58 PM
JFK smoked Cuban cigars in the White House when they were illegal for the rest of us. The Elite are just different from you and me. It is o.k. for them to do things that we can't handle. As a loyal North Carolina son of a long line of tobacco growers I smoked for 42 years and have been off them for 27. Believe I will have a Salem Menthol thank you. First pack was Beechnut cigarettes for 8 cents. They're almost 8 dollars now. Times change but the Elite don't. From Roosevelt in '41 to Obama in '09. They are more alike than different.
Posted by: horace at July 10, 2009 06:37 PM
This is an outrage. First I don't believe the numbers. $846 Million in lost time and health care from what ? Smokers cough or Hangovers from smoking. These numbers are pure unadulterated Bullshit. More scare tactics from the meely-mouthed left.
When I went in I wound up in a NON-smoking platoon in boot camp, this was in 1963, but the day of graduation, I bought a carton of camels at the PX. After all we had acquired 3 months back pay, had plenty of money, almost a hundred bucks at a $1.80 a carton it was tough to shell out that kind of money but it was worth it.
There are few things to enjoy on the line smoking is one of the few, at least during the day, nighttime at your own risk. "Should I cup it, no you aren't there anymore." Like the hand printed signs on Helmets, In Vietnam, 'Smoking is hazardous to your health'...Yeah so are bullets and incoming.
This would really be a scacrilidge to ban cigarettes in the Military. My God they were even included in C-Rations, they may have been 20 years old but they sure tasted good.
Now they are screwing with the Military. Whether they like it or not, smoking is a morale builder. Smoke'em if you got em.
It is obvious these pussy's in the Pentagon have too much time on their hands.
Posted by: Mark at July 10, 2009 06:42 PM
The health nazis are at it again... tobacco's evil and must be eliminated by brainwashing and banning, but pot's okay. Can't have a smoke (tobacco) but the guys next to me in the shower thinks my butt's cute. Damn liberals, thanks a lot.
Posted by: Anonymous at July 10, 2009 07:44 PM
This is insane. Totally insane! Has the Pentagon lost what little is left of their intelligence? How do you tell someone who is risking their life for you that they can kill all the bad guys they want; but for gods sake! Don't smoke! You could be shortening your life by putting smoke in your lungs!
This only proves that our government is too big! There are too many agencies and too many people doing nothing but thinking up things like this.
Posted by: Rockmelon at July 10, 2009 08:28 PM
There's been talk of doing this since the early 90's. I was at one briefing where it was discussed to ban cigarettes completely on base but they never went through it. There was once a lot of pressure put on Senior NCO's and Officers to quit smoking. I know a few Senior NCO's that dropped their retirement paperwork rather than have someone tell them what they can and can't do in their private lives with a legal substance.
I don't drink or smoke but it pisses me off that we want to send men and women into battle and then tell them they can't smoke a cigarette or drink a beer because they're not 21. We'll hold them accountable, prosecute them, and send them to prison if they happen to shoot the wrong person in the heat of battle. We'll also give them an Article 15 for drinking a beer under 21. This didn't start with Obama, it started back under Bush-1.
Posted by: BobF at July 10, 2009 08:33 PM
When I first went to sea onboard the Good Ship Independence CV61 outside the 12 mile limit a carton was a $1.50. The last time I went to sea on George Washington CVN73 on it's first trip with in Carrier Air Wing Seven, the price was the same as ashore and there were only 14 designated smoking spaces aboard. The Navy was attempting to go smoke free at the time. I had actually quit at the time.
But from the old days, it was a smoke and a cup of coffee or a coke.
And even now having taken it up again, I still understand what the culture was. But it isn't up to the powers that be to make certain decisions. Some are still best left to the individual.
Posted by: Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN RET at July 10, 2009 08:39 PM
I went from 4 packs of Marlboros to zero in '87, that 50 man crew I was pushing didn't like my quitting, I started smoking in '61 -'62. In '68 I was issued one of those MACV ration cards, never used it, damned good thing I had access to those 'service packs' in Nam because there were no exchanges where we were, the first thing in my mouth in the morning was a cigarette followed by breakfast,a huge pull of Old Granddad (don't ask, I could have traded it for General Walt). I chewed cut plug and Copenhagen at the same time, wired tight, a 23 year old with many responsibilities wasn't any joy!!! Mail runs to Phu Bai put me in the nearest exchange. $1.80 a carton for butts and $1.80 a quart for booze that was technically off limits to enlisted. Black market works and it works well.
I voluntarily quit cold turkey, yeah I'd tried to quit everyday for 25 years, I finally made it. I can eat, drink and be around smokers, it doesn't bother me at all and I don't condemn anyone with the monkey on their back, I do resent some pubic headed hemorrhoid sucking moron telling me what I can or cannot do. Amen Mark!!! So the smoking lamp is lit, smoke 'em if you've got 'em!!
Posted by: Jack at July 10, 2009 09:17 PM
Oh G*Dammit are you F*cking serious?!?!?! I don't smoke but how the hell am I supposed to get ahold of any good cubans when I get shipped off. Meanwhile the Kenyan can smoke his a** off in the White House and it's okay? My Grandfather would have a fit if he were alive today He smoked three and a half packs a day; Chesterfield Kings Non-Filters.
Glad to know my job is not to defend my Country, (no the peacenik protesters do that apparently) it's to be a damn guinea pig for social experimentation. Well... ARTICLE 15'S FOR EVERYONE HOOAH!!!
Posted by: JohnE PFC U.S. Army at July 10, 2009 09:53 PM
(Ex-smoker here.)
No PC army ever won a war.
When I left the Navy in '93, it was banning Playboy from the Exchanges. Now the Hypocrite-in-Chief wants to have a non-smoking DOD??
I remember Step One in solving any crisis: A fresh cup of coffee from the Chief's Mess and a Winston 100. A little exercise, a little wise counsel, and a little time for reflection usually took care of things.
Posted by: Rick at July 11, 2009 12:14 AM
Posted by: Jack at July 11, 2009 01:02 AM
Jack, oh my gosh, thanks for the link
in your first comment.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:17 AM
Old Soldier, good to see you. Thanks for
sharing about this, I agree, Obama truly
wants to weaken our military, I believe
with all my heart that is one of his
goals.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:20 AM
Tom, thank you so much for sharing about
this. I am getting more worried all the
time for our troops. Obama is really
doing so many things to mess with them.
He is an enemy to our troops.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:31 AM
Horace, thank you for sharing about
this and your right about JFK too.
And Obama smokes so how can he do
this, then like you said too, they
demand others to do things they do
not do themselves. That makes a
very bad leader.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:35 AM
Mark, well said thank you.
Thank you too for sharing about your
experiences.
I can't stand Obama and this kind of
thing is one of the big reasons. His
obvious loathing of our troops.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:40 AM
Anonymous, yes they sure are. grrrr
Good points you made too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:42 AM
Rockmelon, DITTO all you said.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:44 AM
BobF., thanks for sharing about that and
also for the information about the briefing
you went to.
I cannot imagine how anyone that has respect
for our troops, and what they go through,
their sacficies they make, the whole thing
and think it is acceptable to even suggest
this kind of thing. And I would love to
say that in person to any and all that even
think this is a bright idea.
If they do end up this time putting it
through, then every person in the Pentagon,
in the CIA, FBI, the White House, all Congress
and the Senate every person in our government
with any job at any level had better be on the
list having to be banned from smoking as well.
It would only be fair, see how they like it
the jerks.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:51 AM
Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN RET, I agree,
this is totally an individual decision
and it should stay that way.
Thank you Glenn for sharing about this
too.
The big thing here is that once our
government in any way can dictate things
like this, they will move on to other things
as well. The bottom line is about control.
And with our troops that also makes it worse in
so many ways for them.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 01:55 AM
Jack, that is fantastic how you guit
like that. And thanks for sharing
about your experiences too.
I agree, I resent big time people
like this that want to ban them for
anyone and especially for our troops.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 02:00 AM
JohnE PFC U.S. Army, love how you put
it!!!
I sure hope it stays in the considering
and not actually doing it, but I just
don't trust these people to really
care. I agree with you JohnE.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 02:04 AM
Rick, thank you so much for sharing about
that. All you said is one of the big
reasons why this ban should never happen.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 02:07 AM
Jack, thanks for the link to John
Waters.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 11, 2009 02:09 AM
