Submarine Smoking Ban Planned

Citing the hazards of secondhand smoke, the U.S. Navy plans to prohibit smoking aboard submarines, AFP reported April 6.

Currently, individual sub commanders have discretion over onboard smoking, and many subs have designated smoking areas.

“That atmosphere moves around the submarine,” said Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead. “You don’t smell it but the damaging things from the smoke are still present.”

About 40 percent of submariners smoke, but the U.S. military is increasingly viewing smoking as an impediment to health and readiness.