Tobacco policy for military personnel and veterans

Audience: Tobacco control researchers and advocates

Key Points: Military personnel and veterans have been systematically disadvantaged by weakened and inadequate tobacco control policies. These two studies explore how tobacco is used and what it means in the military context, and how tobacco control policy in the Veterans Administration has been influenced by the tobacco industry. Secondary analysis of focus groups with enlisted personnel and interviews of tobacco control professionals in the military reveals that tobacco is used for many purposes, including unit bonding, cross-role socializing, and controlled rebellion. Tobacco use is frequently considered integral to these necessary social activities.  An archival case study of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) effort to disallow smoking and tobacco sales in VA health facilities shows that despite strong support at top levels of the VA, the tobacco industry effectively created and mobilized a public relations consultant-run “grass roots” veterans’ coalition to oppose the policy, eventually pushing Congress to pass a law requiring smoking areas in every VA health facility.  Arguing that it would be unpatriotic to deny veterans a "freedom" they had ostensibly fought for, and that banning smoking in VA hospitals could harm veterans’ health, industry consultants exploited veterans' service organizations to protect tobacco industry profits.  Civilian public health advocates should collaborate with veterans to expose the industry's behind-the-scenes manipulation, reframe the debate, and repeal the law.

Educational Experience: presentation and discussion

Benefits: Understanding of how tobacco use has been embedded into the lives of military members and veterans.