Comments on: Will Pentagon Ban Tobacco Use in the Military?

[npkppprc]

What? Next...The government advises don't breath it may be hazardous to your health, and if you do we will tax you for it. Don't join the military you may be shot at.

[IrishWench01]

The absurdities are becoming a way of life in this country. I find myself just shaking my head anymore at the escalating mad hatter insanity.

[cdegolier]

Some bases have burger kings that is considered junk food and I was speaking in general for all the people whining about how expensive medical is for smokers. Fat people are rising to the top of the list.

[ToolMangler1]

Most combat situations are a short time of fighting just to stay alive versus Hours or days or even weeks of boredom. Take away a soldiers 'diversions' and you will have 'hell' to pay.

[gill_bold]

Tobacco kills 443,000 Americans a year.

1.4 million currently serve in the U.S. military. If 30 percent are smokers and 32 percent of those will eventually die prematurely of smoking (the accepted long-term rate), then tobacco will kill some 134,000 men and women currently serving in the US armed forces.

For comparison, 5,023 US military men and women have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001 and 2003, respectively.

Even considered so roughly ? and coldly ? it seems like smoking must be a much bigger killer than combat. If poison gas wiped out a tenth of our military personnel, you can imagine the nation's reaction. Yet cigarettes, a multi-billion dollar business, manage to color themselves red, white and blue.

[ToolMangler1]

Most combat situations are a short time of fighting just to stay alive versus Hours or days or even weeks of boredom. Take away a soldiers 'diversions' and you will have 'hell' to pay.

[grmlain]

gill
not sure where you got your numbers on smokers deaths but they seem quite inflated. Since we are talking about dangers to our health one of the highest death rates in America is caused by cars and a lot of the breathing problems in America are caused by exhaust fumes from cars so, I guess we should outlaw cars for everyone as well.

[ToolMangler1]

All the lives they save by Banning this or that will result in a population explosion that can only be lessened by a "WAR"

[ToolMangler1]

Banned anything, will create another "Black Market" just as fast as the law is passed. Even 'regulation' won't work. History has taught us that much but many "Do gooders" still think they are the final word on "How we should live our lives". (even if it is a stupid way to live it)

[John_Merritt]

Well you can expect new recruit enrollements to drop at least 1/3. What is their rationale, 'smoking can kill you'? Sorry, walking around with a gun and shooting at people, will get you killed just as quick, if not moreso.

[ToolMangler1]

It could have been on another story.
According to some, half the stuff she says may have violated "The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited."

[Slrman]

I don't know how it is now, but when I was in the military, people on patrol in "denied territory" could not smoke, use after shave or cologne. I think many of us are still alive because of those restrictions. I have always hated smoking and smokers and will not permit it around me at any time.