The New Straits Times, June 27, 1997
The Royal Malaysian Navy ought to be congratulated for organising a seminar on Smoking or Health at the Lumut Naval Base today. The seminar, jointly sponsored by the Malaysian Medical Association (Perak branch) and the National Poison Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, will be followed by a passing out parade tomorrow.
The action suggests that the armed forces are just as anxious as many other Malaysians to rid themselves of the tobacco menace.
Interestingly, the Pentagon recently also took steps to curb cigarette smoking in the US army. The Washington Post reported that the anti-smoking drive reflected heightened concern about lost productivity and health care costs in the armed forces.
According to sources, the Pentagon also intends to limit tobacco products in military stores. Traditionally, members of the armed forced almost every-where in the world have been given easy access to cigarettes. Tobacco was part of army rations and it was also available at a reduced rate in the army supply stores.
It is, therefore, easy to understand why smoking is very much a way of life in the army. Why that is so, however, is not clear. Perhaps myths and images created by those who promote the habit have a lot to do with it. Take one example. It has been said that stress levels experienced by army personnel are high. Cigarette promoters have been quick to capitalise on this, touting lighting up as one good may to relax.
Going by many war movies, cigarettes seem to boost the macho image. In addition, smoking, like drinking, is almost crucial in gaining acceptance among peers in the military. Those who do not conform are often ridiculed, creating tremendous pressure on them to light up.
During festivities, cartons of cigarettes are passed around as part of the goodies, usually courtesy of the cigarette companies themselves, sometimes endorsed by the commanding officers. This strategic alliance nurtured by the tobacco companies ensure that smoking remains alive within the armed forces, even among the women.
Moreover, most of those who joined the armed forces do so at a young age. Even before they could be taught now to handle their rifles properly, many are knowledgeable in the ins and outs of cigarette smoking. Soon cigarettes become part and parcel of their standard military equipment.
When many of these recruits move on the become high-ranking officers, their smoking habits are profiled glamorously to others. Smoking then becomes yet another symbol of success in the eyes of their fellow men and women too.
But now things are changing fast. The assumptions that helped foster the cigarette habit in the armed forces are no longer valid. Tobacco, as stated by the Pentagon, is today seen a s liability for the armed forces: those who are hooked on smoking would only weaken themselves.
To get rid of smoking in the armed forces, it is useful to consider Sun Tzu's words in Art of War. He said, 'know thine enemy." In this case tobacco is without doubt the enemy. It is the 'agent' that weakens the person -body and mind.
With such realisation, it is fervently hoped that the armed forces will take up arms against the tradition of smoking within its ranks, so that as passing out parades in the future, the nation will see proud new generations of officers who are smoke-free and committed to wining the war against the culture of smoking.
