Blue Star Chronicles

Within 20 years a military smoking ban could be in effect, so says a study by the Veterans Affairs Department and the Pentagon. Tobacco use is on average about 10% higher among active duty military than it is in the general public.

General Macarthur

Reaction to a military smoking ban is about as mixed as it is anywhere else, but when it comes to taking something away from our soldiers It’s a doubly bad idea. Some say that smoking in the military is higher because of the high stress situation that active duty military face; I would tend to agree.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates agrees that taking away a soldiers one stress relieving outlet is a bad idea, although he is taking a look at the Veterans Affairs Department study on smoking in the military. No doubt that smoking isn’t good for you, I’m not arguing that fact. What I am arguing against is the PC police infiltrating the military as well as the private sector.

Soldiers are in a precarious position as it is, why take away something that may relieve stress in a highly stressful situation. A situation that most of us will never have to live through. The press of course interviewed service men and women and this is what they found:

Some said it would cut medical costs and make the force healthier, while eliminating smoking breaks would increase productivity. Others said it would dampen morale and reduce recruitment to the all-volunteer military.

Nearly all, however, said it was impractical and probably would never happen.

Smoking rates in the military had begun to decline, that is until the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now soldiers who are daily in harms way are using their smoke breaks as an stress relieving outlet. Proponents of a military smoking ban say it would cut medical costs for the Pentagon and lead to a healthier and more productive fighting force.

A military smoking ban is just impractical and not a burden that needs to be imposed on our men and women who are protecting our country. Smoke em’ if you got em’.