Pentagon urges a tobacco free military

**Hosakawa Tito** · 07-11-2009, 14:12

I heard this one on the radio while at work yesterday. I'm not a smoker, and though I wish everyone could quit I'm a realist and can certainly sympathize with those working in a high stress environment. What I find most insulting about this proposal is the emphasis on "costs to the Pentagon budget", not the health of the soldiers. The Pentagon probably wastes more money than any US institution that we know about, but they're concerned about tobacco related costs to an all volunteer force. I find it hard to justify telling those that put their life on the line for us every day that they can't smoke if they want to. What's your verdict?

**Banquo's Ghost** · 07-11-2009, 14:18

Leave them well alone. Soldiers need distractions.

Whilst I don't smoke, this constant attack on a small vice is disproportionate.

**CountArach** · 07-11-2009, 14:24

I can definitely see the logic and I'm sure that not smoking would lead to a healthier and better average soldier... but something just seems... wrong about this? Can't quite place my finger on it.

**Veho Nex** · 07-11-2009, 15:52

There was a time when the military encouraged smoking.... Hey also some of the worlds oldest people smoke a pack to two packs a day. It was on some movie in science about old people.

**Mooks** · 07-11-2009, 16:07

Would never work.

Need I say more?

**ICantSpellDawg** · 07-11-2009, 16:12

We demand that you live a long time!, now run into that firefight and get shot at. I sincerely believe that we will all be forced to wear helmets at some point in my lifetime. Soldiers can't even be trusted to make simple decisions about their own health.