This is an opinion piece and reflects the views of only the author and not those of TheGeorgiaVirtue.com
By Jose Aguilar
Smoking rates remain elevated for those who have served active duty in the U.S. military.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. military service members who are frequently placed in dangerous situations are more likely to start smoking. CDC data shows from 2010 to 2015, 21.6% of military service members began using tobacco on active duty and that in 2014, the Department of Defense spent approximately $1.8 billion on medical and non-medical expenses due to tobacco use.
Medications provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help former service members stop smoking include nicotine replacement therapies such as chewing gum, nasal sprays, skin patches, and prescribed medications like bupropion and varenicline. Counseling services are also available through individual or group meetings.
However, among the 1 million veterans receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who reported smoking, more than 52% have been unsuccessful in recent attempts to quit. The elevated smoking rates for veterans and the lack of success through the VHA demonstrate the need for alternative approaches that will improve outcomes for those who have served our country.
Smoke Less Vets is an organization that advocates for the use of alternative nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, to replace the use of combustible cigarettes and reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized these nicotine products as smoking cessation tools, evidence shows they can produce positive outcomes and make quitting more manageable.
Consequently, thousands of vapor products available today are illegally sold in flavors targeting children and are not authorized by the FDA to be sold in the U.S. Unfortunately, the illegal market overshadows legitimate alternative products that adults could use to help them quit cigarettes. Therefore, government agencies like the VA and healthcare organizations should provide the best guidance for patients based on updated research and data. This can improve the health of our veterans who have struggled to quit cigarettes and need an alternative approach that works for them.
