Pentagon Says No to Ban on War Zone Smoking Despite Study

Foxnews ^ | 7/15/2009 | Staff

[Red in Blue PA]

The Pentagon says it won't ban smoking by troops in war zones, despite a recent study recommending a tobacco-free military.

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell says troops already are under enough stress and making enough sacrifices in fighting the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And he says Defense Secretary Robert Gates doesn't want to do add to that stress by taking away one of the few outlets they have to relieve it.

But Morrell says Gates will look at the study to see what other things can be done to move toward a goal of a tobacco-free force.

[Red in Blue PA]

Common sense prevails.....for now.

[coconutt2000]

When Obama was stressed out in college he did cocaine. Now he just smokes cigarettes.

Hmm...

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

At least there’s some sense left somewhere.

[donna]

How about letting overweight America have some freedom, too?

[Wolfie]

I disagree. There really shouldn’t be anything hazardous going on in a War Zone.

(”Gentlemen...Please! No fighting in the War Room!”)

[chiefqc]

I thought that the current squatter soiling the Whitehouse gave up smoking, or was that just another BS story?

[pissant]

I’d like to meet the A-hole that came up with that study and recommendation.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I’d tell them to roll up their study and smoke it.

[Leisler]

[Red in Blue PA]

“95% cured”

[1_Rain_Drop]

"Gates will look at the study to see what other things can be done to move toward a goal of a tobacco-free force"

How about removing all the chemicals in the cigarettes? That would be the first step in healthier smokers.

Let our troops smoke if they choose to. They're not out there playing golf.

[coconutt2000]

I seriously doubt he’s given up smoking. If he’s given up smoking he’s getting a stress-free fix some other way. He can’t handle pressure. His stories of his college days, his reliance on tobacco during his campaign, etc, show a personality flaw when it comes to handing stress.

If he’s not smoking he’s doing something else to help him relieve stress. Such personalities never change.

[piytar]

I really don’t understand leftists: ban tobacco but legalize pot. It’s irrational...

[RandallFlagg]

The idea that they are even considering this makes me sick.

Ping, Gabz.

[truthguy]

This group, the Institute of Internal Medicine, who are they. Who commissioned this so called study.

[Red in Blue PA]

Good question.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4TSHB_enUS270US270&q=Institute+of+Internal+Medicine&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

(the first result is Russian)

[gunnut]

It is kind of funny considering how many people the military got hooked on smoking of the years. As late as the 1970’s rations came with cigarettes in the field.

My Dad who smokes always talks about the irony of the government talking about the tobacco companies getting people hooked on smoking but never discuss the government's role.

[When do we get liberated?]

Don’t be fooled by this push. You can buy tax free cigarettes on base anywhere. Where a pack costs 8 bucks in cali you can buy them at the PX for 3.50. Thats all this latest push is. Too many smokers and not enough tax money. (something I will get kicked for but want to say) OFF with all this Keynian economics creating the perfect world through government intervention!

[skimbell]

Yeah, I kinda think that we ought to have a smoke-free White House.

Hell if it's good enough for the troops it ought to be good enough for 0!

[Albion Wilde]

Ping!