Death at a discount: how the tobacco industry thwarted tobacco control policies in US military commissaries

Elizabeth A Smith; Viginia S Blackman; Ruth E Malone

doi:10.1136/tc.2006.017350

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Death at a discount: how the tobacco industry thwarted tobacco control policies in US military commissaries

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Israel Defense Force Faces Similar Problem
John D Borowski
Published on: 13 September 2007
Shame on the Military for Promoting Tobacco Use
Bruce W. Adkins
Published on: 15 February 2007
Time For Increase
VICTOR O KOLADE
Published on: 13 February 2007

Published on: 13 September 2007
Israel Defense Force Faces Similar Problem
- John D Borowski, Family Physiacian
Dear Sirs,
The USA Amed Forces are not alone in subsidising tobacco for their members. Here in Israel, the independent company (Shekel) which runs the canteens on Israeli Military bases also sells tobacco at prices significantly below those of civillian establishments.
In terms of profit generation, tobacco is in fact the single most important item sold by the canteens. This fact along with the fact t...
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Dear Sirs,
The USA Amed Forces are not alone in subsidising tobacco for their members. Here in Israel, the independent company (Shekel) which runs the canteens on Israeli Military bases also sells tobacco at prices significantly below those of civillian establishments.
In terms of profit generation, tobacco is in fact the single most important item sold by the canteens. This fact along with the fact that a certain percentage of profits from the canteens are donated to the Soldier's Welfare Agency, creates an environment where removing the subsidies hurts both the for-profit company and the parent not-for -profit organisation.
It is an arrangement rooted in historical co-dependence which is particularly problematic given that most Israeli soldiers are conscripts, and as such did not choose the "tobacco culture" of our military.
Indeed, availabilty and price of cigarettes are critical factors in determining cigarette uptake especially among young adults. Our resepective departments of defense have a moral obligation to change this situation and thereby minimize the harm to our brave servicemen and sevicewomen.
Kind Regrds Capt(res) Dr John D Borowski
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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Published on: 15 February 2007
Shame on the Military for Promoting Tobacco Use
- Bruce W. Adkins, Director, Division of Tobacco Prevention
The longstanding tradition of the U.S. military and tobacco industry leaders 'smoking in the good ol' boys room' is well documented by the Smith, Blackmon, Malone "Death at a Discount" research paper!
It is time that the military and other federal politicos become concerned about the health of our military, and drop the montra of tobacco use being a 'right'. Obviously, the lobby of the tobacco industry even infi...
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The longstanding tradition of the U.S. military and tobacco industry leaders 'smoking in the good ol' boys room' is well documented by the Smith, Blackmon, Malone "Death at a Discount" research paper!
It is time that the military and other federal politicos become concerned about the health of our military, and drop the montra of tobacco use being a 'right'. Obviously, the lobby of the tobacco industry even infiltrates the Department of Defense offices, too.
While military personnel can buy tobacco products cheaply in base commissaries, they also are readily hooked on snuff and cigarettes whil deployed overseas (a known tactic of the industry since WWI). This acciction to tobacco products spells profits to the industry when our soldiers return, plus significant future health care costs to all.
West Virginia has a documented high prevalence of tobacco addiction in our reserve and active military families. We have made tobacco cessation quitline services available free-of-charge to resident military personnel and their immediate family members through a statewide program called AboutFace. The Federal government and Department of Defense need to do an 'about face' on their view of tobacco use and the military.
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
- Back to top
Published on: 13 February 2007
Time For Increase
- VICTOR O KOLADE, PHYSICIAN
This death-at-a-discount study has excellent timing; it may be that the 110th Congress will approve an increase in commissary tobacco prices! I suggest the pricing of tobacco products available to our soldiers be added to the criteria for grading the federal government on tobacco control [1].
[1] American Lung Association. State of Tobacco Control: 2006. [cited 2/13/07]; Available from: http://lungaction.org/...
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This death-at-a-discount study has excellent timing; it may be that the 110th Congress will approve an increase in commissary tobacco prices! I suggest the pricing of tobacco products available to our soldiers be added to the criteria for grading the federal government on tobacco control [1].
[1] American Lung Association. State of Tobacco Control: 2006. [cited 2/13/07]; Available from: http://lungaction.org/reports/tobacco- control06.html
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Conflict of Interest:
None declared.
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