In 2006, The Military Health System spend about $564 Billion on tobacco related costs, which is almost as much as the $611 Billion of tobacco sold in their stores. The Committee on Smoking Cessation in  Military and Veteran Populations says smoking does not make sense for an organization that depends on physical fitness. For the full story in Army Times, then turn to page A6.

Expanding San Diego center offers advice, treatment, support
The Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress, which opened last September with three personnel, has grown to about three dozen. The center offers many programs to improve health from smoking cessation to exercise classes and information on stress. To read the full story in Navy Times on page A22.
 

Combating Tobacco Use in Military and Veteran Populations
The DoD commissioned a report from the Institute of Medicine to issue recommendations about tobacco use in the Military and Veteran populations. Among the recommendations is that a timeline be established to phase out the use of tobacco until the Military is tobacco free. To read the full report, click here or a summary here.

The U.S. military in Afghanistan is launching a Facebook page, a YouTube site and feeds on Twitter as part of a new communications effort to reach readers who get their information on the Internet rather than in newspapers, officials said Monday. Full story...

Soldiers in Marz Iraq have banded together to help each other stop smoking. Staff Sgt.Payten Redfearn started "Smoke-Out", a group which meets to share advice, discuss progress and  strategize about obstacles to quit tobacco. Full Story....

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is affecting hundreds of thousands of troops returning from Iraq People suffering from PTSD are likely to be lighting up to make themselves feel better, but self-medicating with a cigarette may be preventing patients from getting the help they need.
From NBC San Diego, watch this video.