Elizabeth A Lando-King1, Ruth E Malone2, Christopher K Haddock3, Walker S Carlos Poston4, Harry A Lando5, Sara A Jahnke6, Nita Hawk7, Elizabeth A Smith8. 1. Minneapolis, MN. 2. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco. 3. Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Lee's Summit, MO. 4. Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., New York, NY. 5. Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. 6. Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, Institute for Biobehavioral Health Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., New York, NY. 7. United States Air Force, HQ/Air Force Medical Operations, Health Promotion/Fitness Analyst, San Antonio, TX. 8. Social & Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Although the United States Air Force (USAF) has been a leader in efforts to reduce tobacco use among service members, tobacco continues to be a problem and initiatives to decrease tobacco use further require buy-in from leadership. We explored line leaderships' perspectives on tobacco. METHODS: A diverse group of 10 senior commissioned and 10 non-commissioned personnel were interviewed. RESULTS: Respondents reported substantial changes in the culture of tobacco use during their years of service, from near ubiquity to restricted use areas. They also perceived mixed messages coming from the USAF, including simultaneous discouragement of and accommodations for tobacco use, and variability in policies and enforcement. Many respondents indicated that allowing tobacco use creates conflict and undermines military discipline and suggested that a tobacco-free policy would be the best way to eliminate these contradictions. CONCLUSION: Although there has been substantial movement away from a culture of tobacco in the USAF, current policies and variable enforcement of these policies create unnecessary contradictions. Establishing a tobacco-free service would resolve these issues in addition to improving the health of service members and veterans.
OBJECTIVES: Although the United States Air Force (USAF) has been a leader in efforts to reduce tobacco use among service members, tobacco continues to be a problem and initiatives to decrease tobacco use further require buy-in from leadership. We explored line leaderships' perspectives on tobacco. METHODS: A diverse group of 10 senior commissioned and 10 non-commissioned personnel were interviewed. RESULTS: Respondents reported substantial changes in the culture of tobacco use during their years of service, from near ubiquity to restricted use areas. They also perceived mixed messages coming from the USAF, including simultaneous discouragement of and accommodations for tobacco use, and variability in policies and enforcement. Many respondents indicated that allowing tobacco use creates conflict and undermines military discipline and suggested that a tobacco-free policy would be the best way to eliminate these contradictions. CONCLUSION: Although there has been substantial movement away from a culture of tobacco in the USAF, current policies and variable enforcement of these policies create unnecessary contradictions. Establishing a tobacco-free service would resolve these issues in addition to improving the health of service members and veterans.
Entities:
Keywords:
United States Air Force; enforcement of smoking restrictions; smoking accommodations; tobacco; tobacco control policy
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