Senator to DoD: Quit Smoking, Dipping, Vaping

Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., had sharp questions for the services’ four surgeons general about high use of tobacco among the ranks during a recent hearing on Capitol Hill. Concerned that 32 percent of all soldiers use tobacco, compared to 19 percent of the general population in the same age bracket, Durbin wanted the health-care chiefs to explain why the trend is heading the wrong way. “When we use the word ‘readiness’ in every other sentence, … whey is it that the rate of tobacco usage in the military is significantly higher than it is in the civilian population?” Durbin asked the four panelists. He also questioned the Army’s wisdom in rescinding a rule that had restricted tobacco use among soldiers while they are in AIT (advanced individual training). Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Forrest Faison told Durbin that while tobacco use among sailors has declined under the watch of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, leadership is concerned about the increased use of e-cigarettes (vaping). Durbin wants the military to end discounts on tobacco products in exchanges.