Adverse Effects of Tobacco Use in Deployed Military Units
Abstract
Although research reveals that smoking prevalence has in general stabilized or is even decreasing among military personnel, this trend does not ultimately apply. Being young, being deployed, or being a member of Army personnel, for instance, is proven to increase the risk of being or beginning to be a tobacco user. There are not immediate observable links between tobacco habits and the serious health-related consequences found during the service period because of the long time lag between tobacco use and its consequences. Also the impact of smoking on military performance can be defined rather more indirectly than directly. However, findings in the Estonian military sample (n=135) indicate that an increase in smoking behaviour while on deployment not only corresponds with poorer psychological wellbeing and general health, but also with being forced to stay away from duty because of physical aches. These results can be taken as indicators that smoking behaviour decreases fitness for military operations and should be targeted by performance enhancement activities. The role of the military culture of smoking behaviour and the arguments for an effective strategy for tobacco use cessation among military personnel are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA567920
Entities
People
- Marten Meijer
- Merle Parmak