RE: Tobacco promotion to military personnel: the plums are here to be plucked, published in (Mil Med 2009; 174(8): 797-806)

摘要

I appreciated the thoughtful contribution made by Dr. Smith and Dr. Malone in the August edition of Military Medicine entitled "Tobacco promotion to military personnel: 'The plums are here to be plucked'." They carefully outlined the problem of the tobacco culture in the military and specifically cited some of the influences that contributed to this culture during the 1980s and 1990s. Their conclusion briefly suggested a possible remedy: the military must promulgate its own policies aimed at reducing tobacco use, frame the policies in a way that they are supported by all personnel, and be vigilant to ensure these policies are not revoked or undermined. I agree with these solutions, but I firmly believe this conversation is not complete without a call for more comprehensive cultural change. Policy change alone won't be sufficient.