Tobacco Use in the Army: Illuminating Patterns, Practices, and Options for Treatment

摘要

Tobacco use by soldiers has been prevalent throughout the 20th century. Tobacco has been seen as a 'right.' Additionally, tobacco has been viewed as a boost to a soldier's morale and a means of providing comfort while reducing stress in austere conditions. Today, tobacco is known to increase health care costs, adversely affect readiness, and impact military members' physical performance. The purpose of this ethnographic study was to describe patterns, practices, and experiences of active duty Army soldiers who use tobacco, soldiers who have quit using tobacco, and soldiers who have relapsed after a period of tobacco abstinence. Five themes were uncovered: (1) Experiences associated with the use of tobacco, (2) Tobacco use in the Army, (3) Experiences of starting and restarting tobacco, (4) Balancing health risks with tobacco use, and (5) Tobacco use regulations and policies. The findings are consistent with the conclusion that Army culture supports soldiers' tobacco use.