[truthguy]

I am an advocate of freedom and liberty.

Me too, that's why I think people should be free of cigarette smoke. We all have to give up a little absolute freedom when others are affected. I can't turn my stereo up to Maximum @ 3:00AM! I can't drive 100mph on the Freeways. I can't do many things that would affect others. That's where I draw the line. I guess many smokers have forgotten just how offensive it is for non-smokers to have to breath and smell the smoke. On a surface ship you can probably go outside and smoke. The winds will remove the smoke and nobody is offended. But a submarine is akin to an airliner. The air is recirculated and the smoke permeates the entire boat. Many sailors have complained about this. On a long voyage this can be very irritating and affect the performance of the crew.

[Pontiac]

The air is recirculated and the smoke permeates the entire boat. Many sailors have complained about this. On a long voyage this can be very irritating and affect the performance of the crew.

Of all of the sub sailors I have ever known non have ever complained about the smoke on the boat (and they complained about a lot of things).

Most of the smells that they complained about were diesel fuel, sump water and farts.

[rottndog]

But a submarine is akin to an airliner. The air is recirculated and the smoke permeates the entire boat. Many sailors have complained about this. On a long voyage this can be very irritating and affect the performance of the crew.

That's a load of crap....the air on a boat is in constant circulation, and is filtered. There are circ fans everywhere...in fact that's the first thing you hear when you climb down the ladder. I never smelled cigarette smoke on the boat...unless I was next to somebody smoking.

While I don't like breathing 2nd hand smoke myself, there are plenty of places on board where one could light up and not affect anyone else.

This issue is not about health, it's about political correctness and stupid people on a power trip. There are far more serious things to worry about on the boat.