U.S. bid to make military smokeless

[NNN]

The Institute of Medicine wants to ban the U.S.A military from smoking and the Pentagon seems to agree with the idea.

I am beginning to suspect that the anti-tobacco campaign which is being waged in many countries is not really about costs or health. I am not a fan of conspiracy theories although it seems to me that this campaign is a moral crusade. I am wondering how many of these campaigners are of a religious bent, attempting to hide behind secular logic.

Everyone involved seems to be obsessed with preserving and prolonging life. Fine..... However, when did this become compulsory?

There are many pastimes which involve risk; in order to be fair they should ban those also, shouldn't they? But they won't, will they, because this campaign is not about fairness; it's about moral indoctrination. They could well seek to ban alcohol, in my opinion and I wonder how many of the anti-smoking fraternity would be unhappy about that and realise, too late, that they supported the wrong people.

I, for one, will not suffer these bigots meekly.

This is a contentious issue so I meekly await the return!

 

[Jose Collado]

How much does alleged smoking related diseases cost the community? That's probably one of the factors. I also would hate to have anyone on the frontline wheezing and giving away their position to the enemy.

 

[pixelsmith]

nicotine withdrawals tend to agitate people. pacification seems to be the desired mental state for the flocks.

 

[Bixyboo]

How much does alleged smoking related diseases cost the community? That's probably one of the factors. I also would hate to have anyone on the frontline wheezing and giving away their position to the enemy.

Here, HERE! I'm right now caregiver for a loved one's who's dying of
Emphysema. NOT pretty to watch someone slowly suffocate bit by bit like that!!!!!! *sorry, I'm just soooo bitter about things like smoking!*

 

[bobheck]

Here, HERE! I'm right now caregiver for a loved one's who's dying of
Emphysema. NOT pretty to watch someone slowly suffocate bit by bit like that!!!!!! *sorry, I'm just soooo bitter about things like smoking!*

My father has emphysema. The wheezing, oxygen always present. It is really not pretty.

 

[pixelsmith]

my uncle died from cigarette smoking. a day before he died i was with him by his bedside, he mustered up enough strength to grab me and pull me close to his face, then with great effort he asked me to kill him to end his suffering. i said no and he went sort of crazy flopping around until he managed to fling himself right on the floor where he proceeded to try and run while on his side, as he was spinning around on the floor like a top i ran for help. long story short, he died the next day. i quit smoking right then so i didnt have to quit the same way he did.

 

[bobheck]

my uncle died from cigarette smoking. a day before he died i was with him by his bedside, he mustered up enough strength to grab me and pull me close to his face, then with great effort he asked me to kill him to end his suffering. i said no and he went sort of crazy flopping around until he managed to fling himself right on the floor where he proceeded to try and run while on his side, as he was spinning around on the floor like a top i ran for help. long story short, he died the next day. i quit smoking right then so i didnt have to quit the same way he did.

Wow, pixel. Sorry you had to go through that. You know, it probably saved your life though, or at least made it much more pleasant.

This really may sound cruel, but I think every child should see an older person facing the difficulties brought on by smoking. Talk about 'scared straight'.

 

[Bixyboo]

Wow, bob and pixel! So ya know, then..:frown:

 

[CapnG]

Military service is a form of employment and like any other employer, they are free to set the rules under which those in their employ may conduct themselves. If they decide to ban smoking, then they can do so and no one else has any say in the matter.

On the other hand we are talking about soldiers here. The fact of the matter is the ill-effects of cigarette smoking, awful as they may be, are long term concerns, whereas a bullet to the head is a fairly short term issue and a much more pressing concern on the mind of a soldier on the frontlines. Combat is the single most stressful thing a human being can endure and cigarettes have a soothing effect on the psyche, so why deny a simple pleasure to a person who is just as likely to be headed home in a pine box as in seat? I say smoke 'em if you got 'em.

 

[Xylo]

Military service is a form of employment and like any other employer, they are free to set the rules under which those in their employ may conduct themselves. If they decide to ban smoking, then they can do so and no one else has any say in the matter.

How many other employers require you to sign away your Constitutional Rights?

If they decide to ban smoking, it will be under the guise of "protecting government property" because that is what those who wear the uniform are. I've been there, done that and have a few t-shirts and tattoos from it.

On the other hand we are talking about soldiers here. The fact of the matter is the ill-effects of cigarette smoking, awful as they may be, are long term concerns, whereas a bullet to the head is a fairly short term issue and a much more pressing concern on the mind of a soldier on the frontlines. Combat is the single most stressful thing a human being can endure and cigarettes have a soothing effect on the psyche, so why deny a simple pleasure to a person who is just as likely to be headed home in a pine box as in seat? I say smoke 'em if you got 'em.

I agree completely. Most of our military knows the time and place in which to smoke....on the front lines at night is NOT one of them. Let the guys have a nicotine rush now and then.

If the high command is able to outlaw cigarettes, then smokeless tobacco use will run rampant in the military.

 

[CapnG]

How many other employers require you to sign away your Constitutional Rights?

I'm just saying if you work in a smoke-free office building and the boss catches you lighting up at your desk then he has every right to fire your ass. The military banning smoking would be no different (not on paper, anyway).

And the last time I checked the constitution did not protect your right to develop a life-long nicotene addiction.

 

[AnnetteMarie]

wellll, as a former smoker, quit October 1996 because I was going home to care for my terminally ill mother, dying of lung cancer and another, lesser-known lung disease similar to cystic fibrosis - as if either one wasn't enough to do her in - anyway.

having quit a few times before, once for more than 3 years, I disagree that smoking can be calming as opposed to not smoking. I am much calmer without the cigarettes than I was with.
I no longer have to scout out areas to smoke, no longer have to worry about how bad I smell when I walk into a room after a smoke, no longer have to worry about the cost of the damn things, or how my house stinks, or my car. I don't have to wash walls to get rid of nasty yellow colours. I don't have clothes with holes in them from ash burns. I no longer have to ditch my kids or friends so I can go for a smoke.
PLUS I don't get so nervous, I can handle outside stressors a lot easier than before, without NEEDING to find a moment to run out to smoke away the stress, and that in itself when you CANNOT go for a smoke is stress like you wouldn't believe.
Smoking and its related issues created much more stress on me, than not smoking ever did.
Smoking increases your heart rate, while constricting your blood vessels. Think about it: your heart is pumping blood through your veins at a faster rate than when you are relaxed, but the veins are smaller than without the nicotine rush. that spells bad news in anyone's dictionary, and actually increases stress.

oh, one other thing - of the thousand or so chemicals they now add to the tobacco, not one of them is meant to calm, or soothe you. they have one function, period: they make you addicted, and sometimes within two or three cigarettes.

When I first started smoking regularly back in 68 or 69, cigarettes didn't have so many chemicals soaked into the tobacco. you could quit a lot easier than you can now.

Now if I could only deal with the extra poundage from overeating because I am not smoking ...

sorry for such a long rant, smoking is something I would like to see erased from the face of this planet. permanently.

 

[Xylo]

I'm just saying if you work in a smoke-free office building and the boss catches you lighting up at your desk then he has every right to fire your ass. The military banning smoking would be no different (not on paper, anyway).

Yeah it would be. The military isn't just a 9-5 job. It's 24/7.

And the last time I checked the constitution did not protect your right to develop a life-long nicotene addiction.

Nor does it protect one's right to develop a life long alcohol addiction...but we tried to legislate that one before...epic failure.

 

[Schuyler]

Political Correctness is rampant in the military, made more so because of its compulsory nature. And the military changes with the times like everyone else. My last employer banned smoking in any of its building years ago, then even banned smoking outside. Of course, by that time we had only a few smokers left.

The military bans lots of behavior we would consider 'our rights!' For example, you can't whistle in the engine room of a Naval ship. Why? Because it sounds like escaping steam from a pipe. Large naval ships run on steam, the same way they did in the 1890s, even if it's nuclear fuel that heats the water to make the steam. The pressure is either 600 or 1200 psi and invisible. If you get in the way of a steam leak, it can cut off your head.

I remember when every package of K-rations had a 4-pack of cigarettes included in it. I'm remembering Winstons, but my memory may be playing tricks on me. My guess is the procurement arm of the Army contracted with several different manufacturers. Soldiers who did not smoke wound up with an extra commodity to barter. It has always been the case that sharing between smokers was a courtesy. When one opened up a pack of cigarettes, the protocol was to offer your buddy one as well. But when times were tough in the fox holes and smokes were rare, a soldier would open up a box, take out a lone cigarette, and proclaim, 'Box open. Box shut.' and not share at all.

Just reminiscing a bit...

 

[DamnDirtyApe]

I find it strange (but hardly surprising) that people who are professional soldiers are being hassled about smoking. Pure silliness.

Aside from whether of not it's prudent to smoke, this issue is the classic individual rights vs. public cost dilemma.

In the particular case of soldiers, who's job it is to KILL other people when in combat, I would come down on the side of individual rights. PC police or public cost be damned.

You are old enough and entrusted to kill people for the system, but we wont let you engage in smoking "for your own good" thanks mommy...

 

[Schuyler]

I was wondering when someone would get around to pointing out that the military has weapons and stuff. Here's another thing the military does to step on your rights: You can't get fat and you must stay in shape (even in the navy, no less. Don;t they just sit around and play cribbage on air-conditioned ships?) If you can't do X amount of sit-ups, so many push-ups, and run the mile in so many minutes they will actually kick you out--no matter how many years you have devoted to it. Not only that your body fat mass index thingie (forgot what it is called) must be within strict parameters. Given a certain height, you also cannot be over a certain weight. the GALL of the military forcing you to stay in shape! Getting fat is a RIGHT nobody should be able to take away.

Not only that, the military discriminates based on age. It varies by service, but the worst is the Coast Guard which will not allow you to enlist if you are more than 27 years old! the Navy age is 34. The is CLEARLY discriminatory. It gets worse. If you do not make E-7 by twenty years in the Navy you are OUT the DOOR, bucko! It's called 'High Year Tenure' and they actually say, in print, no less, that you need to leave to make room for the younger folks. How blatant is that?

IMO, fat, out-of-shape passed-over (not promoted) service members should sue for their rights! You have a right to be fat, out-of-shape, and too stupid to pass a simple promotion test. It's the American Way!

 

[truthseeker]

This is bullshit, the troops are under enough stress right now. Let them smoke if they want to.

 

[pixelsmith]

This is bullshit, the troops are under enough stress right now. Let them smoke if they want to.

No Smoking areas of the war might help.

 

[bobheck]

You know, if the entire military has to stop smoking, shouldn't that also go for the commander in chief as well?

 

[exo_doc]

Oh this is bullshit!
The world seems to be just FULL of people who know what's better for you than you do! They love being able to tell you what to think, how to live, what to do....man that must be a power-trip rush.
Hey, too much fat and salt is bad for you, so let's shut down McDonalds, Burger King, etc., and ban unhealthy foods.
Hey 50-60,000 people a year die in car wrecks....let's ban those too.
Alcohol is responsible for a bunch of deaths too! That's out the window!

When you start banning things, ....where should the line be drawn?