Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Gates Refuses to Ban Smoking in War Zones

Defense secretary rejects Pentagon study's recommendation

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2009 1:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – American troops in war zones won't have to battle the enemy while suffering nicotine withdrawal, CNN reports. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is willing to consider some of the recommendations in a Pentagon-commissioned report calling for a totally tobacco-free military, but he has no intention of ordering stressed-out troops in combat zones to go without their smokes.

"We are fighting two wars right now, using a force that we are demanding more of than we ever have before," said a spokesman for Gates. "They are under enormous stress and strain. The secretary does not want to compound that stress by taking away from them one of the few outlets they have to relieve that stress."

US Army Spc. Seth Cotrell, right, and Staff Sgt. Scott Malecki take a smoke break after a raid on an al-Qaeda cell in Iraq,
US Army Spc. Seth Cotrell, right, and Staff Sgt. Scott Malecki take a smoke break after a raid on an al-Qaeda cell in Iraq,   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Pvt. Grant Shinchick from Alton, Ill., smokes at the Blackhawk Combat Outpost in the Nerkh district of Wardak province, Afghanistan.
Pvt. Grant Shinchick from Alton, Ill., smokes at the Blackhawk Combat Outpost in the Nerkh district of Wardak province, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
A US soldier smokes a cigarette during a patrol mission near Baghdad.
A US soldier smokes a cigarette during a patrol mission near Baghdad.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
kokuaguy
Jul 16, 2009 9:30 AM CDT
Not to mention the effect such a ban would have on recruiting. It could be a real deal breaker in a lot of cases I'd bet.
ABO_2012
Jul 16, 2009 8:32 AM CDT
Just leave them alone!
Mr.C
Jul 16, 2009 7:03 AM CDT
get them a punching bag for that stress

More Newser Stories

Pentagon Opens More Jobs to Women

Moderate Pot Use May Boost Lung Capacity

Brain-Injury Test for Troops May Be $42M Boondoggle

Obama Calls Out Big Tobacco

Hospital Bans Employees With Smoky Clothes


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne