Smoking ban in U.S. military?

[Dis]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/12/military.smoking.ban/index.html

This must be a joke right? Yes I know you go without smokes during boot camp. So how hard is it to extend that to all active service? My main concern is with meeting recruitment goals. but the general did have a decent point about stress relief. Although non smokers are able to find that stress relief somehow...

And they seem to want to phase out smokeless tobacco too. I knew many guys in the navy who dipped. It was much easier than going to the smoke pad (which can get smoky ). The smoke pad is on a sponson outside or the fantail. And can get crowded, or closed during refueling operations. Dip was annoying because you'd get people's spit all over you when you were cleaning up soda cans (which people spit into). Or when taking out the trash. I wouldn't mind seeing that go.

I'll go ahead and make this a poll. Express your thoughts on the matter. I know the goverment "owns" you in the military, but this is a bit much.

[BlackCat]

They should work harder on preventing lead poisoning instead.

[Felch]

People are such cry babies about smoking these days. Lung cancer is one of our best hopes for staving off the collapse of Social Security.

[SlowwHand]

I voted No.

[Riesstiu IV]

No but they do need a pole-smoking ban for the navy.

[Tuberski]

I voted 'Yes'.

ACK!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Dis points out a good question. When recruitment is faltering, why put in more barriers in place that don't do anything to increase the quality of soldier (by the time they are seriously affected in breathing ability, I assume they'll be too old to actually fight in wars)?

[Patroklos]

Recruitment isn't really faultering.

The larger question here is that they are trying to ban it period, not just say on military bases or while on duty. Is this even possible? As it is smoking is already banned in all work and general areas just like it is at other federal facilities. You have to go to designated areas.

This accomplishes nothing. This is even more ridiculous because you still have to pass your PT tests twice a year, if you were smoking yourself to death this would not be possible.

[SlowwHand]

What we need overall are more rules, regulations and laws. Not just the military.
No, everyone needs more rules.

[BlackCat]

What we need overall are more rules, regulations and laws. Not just the military.
No, everyone needs more rules.

Ehrm, that would actually mean that you have to give up your guns

[Imran Siddiqui]

I believe he was being sarcastic

[SlowwHand]

Thank you, Imran.

[BlackCat]

This accomplishes nothing. This is even more ridiculous because you still have to pass your PT tests twice a year, if you were smoking yourself to death this would not be possible.

One thing is when the soliders are safe at their bases, but try to control it when they are in combat areas is pretty stupid. I guess that the old "only two per stick" is obsolete, guess that even one is one to much. Still, taking that away from active soldiers is pretty stupid considering what they are doing - I mean risk of cancer in 30 years compared to a bullet.

[BlackCat]

I believe he was being sarcastic

Texans can't be sarcastic

[Darius871]

Dis points out a good question. When recruitment is faltering, why put in more barriers in place that don't do anything to increase the quality of soldier (by the time they are seriously affected in breathing ability, I assume they'll be too old to actually fight in wars)?

Forget about recruitment; what worries me is that based on the grunts I know, this is probably the government action most likely to incite a Seven Days in May scenario.