The association of smoking and the cost of military training. Issue 1 (1st March 2001)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klesges, Robert C; Haddock, C Keith; Chang, Cyril F; Talcott, G Wayne; Lando, Harry A
• Is Part Of: Tobacco control. Volume 10:Issue 1(2001)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2001-03-01
• Subjects: military -- smoking ban -- training costs; Tobacco use -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tobacco use -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Law and legislation -- Periodicals; Smoking -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco Use Disorder -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1136/tc.10.1.43
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4563

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: To determine if premature discharge from the US Air Force was associated with the smoking status of recruits. DESIGN AND SETTING: A total of 29 044 US Air Force personnel recruited from August 1995 to August 1996 were administered baseline behavioural risk assessment surveys during basic military training. They were tracked over a 12 month period to determine those who were prematurely discharged. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Excess training costs as a result of premature discharge. RESULTS: In this 12 month period, 14.0% of those entering the US Air Force were discharged at a one year follow up. In both univariate and multivariate models, the best single predictor of early discharge was smoking status. Overall, 11.8% of non-smokers versus 19.4% of smokers were prematurely discharged (relative risk 1.795). CONCLUSIONS: Using US Department of Defense data on the cost of military training, recruits who smoke in the US Air Force are associated with $18 million per year in excess training costs. Applied to all service branches, smoking status, which represents a constellation of underlying behaviours and attitudes that can contribute to early discharge, is associated with over $130 million per year in excess training costs.