Adjusting To A No Smoking Policy On U.S. Subs

Withdrawal Symptoms: US Submarine Fleet Gets Used To Life Without Cigarettes -- The Canadian Press

YOKOSUKA, Japan — As if life on a submarine wasn't already stressful enough, with its cramped quarters, long work hours and weeks at sea, thousands of smokers on the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet recently got an unwelcome ultimatum from Uncle Sam.

As of last month, all submarines in the U.S. Navy are officially smoke free — and it's been a tense transition.

For some officers and sailors, the new policy has been that extra push they needed to make the decision to quit. But for many more, it means a little more effort at irritation management and a lot more stocking up on nicotine patches, chewing tobacco and snuff before heading out to sea.

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Update: Sub crews adjust to no-smoking policy -- UPI

My Comment: Sub crews adjusting to a no-smoking policy .... who are they kidding. I am sure there are a lot peeved and stressed out sailors out there right now.

Smoking No Longer Permitted On U.S. Submarines

Run Silent, Run Deep . . . Run Smokeless -- Wall Street Journal

For some, the New Year traditionally begins with a hangover. On Navy submarines, 2011 may begin with nicotine fits.

That’s right: Back in April, Vice Adm. John Donnelly, the commander of Navy submarine forces, introduced a new policy banning smoking below decks aboard all U.S. Navy submarines. The ban takes effect no later than Dec. 31.

The reason for the ban? Cutting secondhand smoke inside subs.

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My Comment: I am sure this is driving some sailors crazy right now.

No More Smoking On U.S. Submarines

Photo from Top News

Navy Bans Tobacco Use On Its Submarine Fleet -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The smoking lamp is going out all across the Navy’s submarine fleet, where the mission to “run silent, run deep” now will be carried out by sailors ordered to run undersea operations without cigarettes, cigars or pipes.

This is the latest front in the long war against tobacco declared by the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their programs to help military personnel kick the smoking habit are intended to protect the health of the current force — and to save the government hundreds of millions of dollars a year in health care costs for those who have served, and smoked, in uniform.

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My Comment: 40% of submariners admit to being smokers. My prediction .... a few months after the smoking ban goes into effect, a good portion of them will seek reassignment, some will quit, and the rest will stay in their jobs but they will be "jumpy", short tempered, grumpy, unhappy, and difficult to work with. My analysis comes from personal experience .... those who I know who quit smoking were difficult to be with until they fell of the wagon and resumed smoking again.

But as much as this smoking ban is going to impact the submarine fleet, the removal of this ban will impact the U.S. submarine fleet even more.

US War Zone Troops 'Can Smoke'

From The BBC:

American troops are not to be banned from smoking in war zones, the US Defence Department says.

The decision comes despite a recent study which recommended the US military should be tobacco-free.

Pentagon spokesman, Geoff Morrell, said US troops were already making enough sacrifices in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, did not want to add to the stress of the troops by taking away their right to smoke.

But Mr Morrell said the Pentagon would examine the recent study to see what else could be done to move towards banning tobacco in the military.

He said: "Obviously it is not our preference to have a force that is using tobacco products."

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My Comment: This is a ridiculous report form the Pentagon. Our soldiers have enough stress in combat zones, and now they want to take the one thing that helps them get over it.