Tobacco Use

Military Service members have historically used tobacco products such as cigarettes and smokeless tobacco at higher rates than the civilian population. The high prevalence of e-cigarette use among Service members parallels recent increases nationally among U.S. youth. Tobacco product use is a threat to the health and fitness of our forces and compromises readiness, the foundation of a strong national defense.

Use of tobacco products among Service members is pervasive, harmful, and an urgent public health problem. More than one-third of Service members who use tobacco products started after joining. A well-known cause of cancers, heart and lung disease, and stroke, tobacco product use jeopardizes fitness and sleep quality and increases stress. In addition, tobacco product users are more likely to be injured and their injuries are slower to heal.

The tobacco prevention and cessation tools offered in this resource can used for all forms of tobacco use including:

• Smoked (cigarettes, cigars, hookah)
• Smokeless (chewing tobacco, snuff)
• Emerging/electronic (e-cigarettes, vaping)

Explore the links below to learn more about policies to help prevent tobacco use and resources to help service members and their families quit.