Ban on tobacco urged in military (legal, soldiers, healthcare, cost) - Politics and Other Controversies -Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Conservatives, Liberals, Third Parties, Left-Wing, Right-Wing, Congress, President - City-Data Forum

davidmg1 · 07-10-2009, 10:45 AM

Military plans phased in ban over next 10 years.

New enlisted and officers will have to be smoke-free.

As a 20 yr vet, I do see the good things in this ban, the cost savings for healthcare, better health for the troops, etc...

Some vets say smoking is a stress reliever, and as we know they are under a lot of stress lately. Suicide rates are up.

Or is this another right being taken away, albeit, troops do give up a lot of rights when they sign the dotted line to join.

Ban on tobacco urged in military - USATODAY.com

thefinalsay · 07-10-2009, 10:48 AM

I think the employer should be able to have them be smoke free during business hours. after work though, it's not their business. unless they are unable to perfrom because of the smoking. unable to run, ect.

stockproipi · 07-10-2009, 10:57 AM

For God sake, they are just a bullet or an IED way from being dead. Who give the a f**k if they want to smoke or not.

The way I see it, our military perfoms way better than any other army in the world already (smoking or not). What we need to do is take those idiots who came up with this stupid idea and send them to the front line so they can do some worth while thing for a change.

davidmg1 · 07-10-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefinalsay

I think the employer should be able to have them be smoke free during business hours. after work though, it's not their business. unless they are unable to perfrom because of the smoking. unable to run, ect.

I agree with you. But you have to remember, the military is "on duty 24HRS a day".

Even on leave status, they can be recalled in a moments notice if needed.

thefinalsay · 07-10-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmg1

I agree with you. But you have to remember, the military is "on duty 24HRS a day".

Even on leave status, they can be recalled in a moments notice if needed.

true. they could always put it in the contract that they sign when they go in. I think the would lose a lot of recruits though.

wdavid002 · 07-10-2009, 11:05 AM

Rediculous..what other rights are we so willing to give up?? No more drinking, coz of alcoholism, no more sex because of AIDS and STD's, no more cheesburgers, coz of obesity?? Ok..I'm done..might as well join a monestary and bake bread.

Arjay51 · 07-10-2009, 11:16 AM

Well, our wonderful government could really make great strides if they forbade soldiers to die. Then we could keep our armed forces intact. It would be about as easy and legal as denying personal freedoms.

Frank_Carbonni · 07-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdavid002

Rediculous..what other rights are we so willing to give up?? No more drinking, coz of alcoholism, no more sex because of AIDS and STD's, no more cheesburgers, coz of obesity?? Ok..I'm done..might as well join a monestary and bake bread.

Pretty much.

We are entering an ageof paternalism. It's a cycle. Permissive for a few decades and moralistic busybodies for a few decades.

wdavid002 · 07-10-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank_Carbonni

Pretty much.

We are entering an ageof paternalism. It's a cycle. Permissive for a few decades and moralistic busybodies for a few decades.

It's unfortunate that we can't seem to get to the middle..can we..

jmking · 07-10-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdavid002

Rediculous..what other rights are we so willing to give up?? No more drinking, coz of alcoholism, no more sex because of AIDS and STD's, no more cheesburgers, coz of obesity?? Ok..I'm done..might as well join a monestary and bake bread.

Bread is fattening.