Smoking and tobacco use by U.S. military personnel

Abstract

Findings regarding smoking behavior for the 1985 survey of military personnel were compared to findings from earlier surveys. A decline in the percentage of cigarette smokers was evident for all ranks and ages. Reported use of smokeless tobacco and cigar/pipe smoking indicated that one-fifth of the cigarette smokers also use smokeless tobacco and that two-fifths of the cigarette users smoke a pipe or cigar. Among non-smokers of cigarettes, about one-tenth of the respondents used smokeless tobacco and/or smoked a pipe or cigars. Using self-evaluation of health status, non-smokers reported "excellent" health significantly more than smokers.