Smoking ban goes underwater

The US navy has announced that it will be taking American anti-smoking laws to new depths, by banning smoking from all of its submarines from December.

The new policy is likely to face stiff opposition. Smoking is popular among sailors; it’s estimated 35-40% smoke. The Navy insists that the law is being introduced to stop the health of sailors who do not smoke from being damaged, at the expense of those that do. Second hand smoke is a noted problem aboard submarines. Especially because the enclosed environment means that smoke is more likely to linger. 'Third-hand smoke’ could be a big problem too. Recent evidence shows that harmful chemicals from cigarettes remain on clothes and furniture. In the enclosed, crowded space of submarines, this could be a very real threat to sailor’s health.

Smoking will still be allowed above deck, when submarines surface. In case sailors find it difficult to quit, the medical quarters of the ship will be stocked with all sorts of smoking cessation aids. Nicotine patches and gum will be among the quitting tools available. The Navy says it enforces an “aggressive” smoking cessation policy and this certainly seems to fit with that approach.

Getting someone to quit smoking suddenly when they’re used to a regular nicotine fix is certainly one way to toughen them up. Not only do smokers develop an addiction to the nicotine in cigarettes; very often, they also have a psychological dependency on the habit. Whether it’s from having something to hold in their hands when they socialise, or because you have fallen into the routine of having a break from work when you smoke, it’s easily to develop a mental attachment to smoking. Breaking this bond can be just as challenging as breaking the physical addiction.

The Navy hopes that although it may be a struggle for sailors at first, they will benefit in the long run. Lt Commander Mark Jones said: “we’re going to make this transition as easy as we can".