Does the Air Force care if pilots chew tobacco?

We care if anyone chews tobacco. It is a health hazard causing:

- high blood pressure

- increased cholesterol and heart rate

- heart attack due to the above two

- gum disease/tooth decay

- oral cancer

They care in the sense that every year when you take your PHA (physical), the doc will lecture you on the uses of tobacco - but they don't prohibit you from chewing.

There's probably a reg somewhere about chewing in uniform - I know many guys who dip and smoke in uniform, but I seem to recall that smoking in uniform was possibly going to be banned.

I unfortunately haven't kicked the habit, but about 30% of my compadres chew, dip, smoke, etc. They're an old crusty bunch and seem to survive time enough to witness various regs that come and go, but the tobacco one is sticking rather well. Not suppose to during AETC class sessions etc, but that's AETC for ya...

My Loadmasters and a few Pilots run quickly to the 50ft mark when we land to bring in some nico candy from the longer flights. I'll chew/dip during the whole flight and keep my area clean, that's all we ask of each other!

Bad Vice, don't do it - but if you already do, it's easier in the Guard. Big Blue AF is quite a stickler on this garbage...but, it does equate to more health care costs on their part so they might not be blowing smoke....

Hi,

I'm set to go attend Freefall at the Academy this summer.

The health questionnaire (attached) they gave us asks if we've used tobacco products in the last two years.

I gave up chew when I received my pilot slot in March (because I was afraid it was giving me heart palpitations) and haven't done it since however before that I did it regularly for about 6-8mo and sporadically before that.

Is "Yes" going to block me from attending Freefall this summer? Will it give me trouble down the road at Brooks?

Thanks,

nos

Atch_1_to_ARMS_AFROTC_08_065_USAFA_Health_Questionnaire.doc

Edited May 21, 200817 yr by 055-NOS

I did it regularly for about 6-8mo and sporadically before that.

Several missed opportunities. U for SA.

Is "Yes" going to block me from attending Freefall this summer? Will it give me trouble down the road at Brooks?

I doubt it. It's not like it's unsafe to jump out of a plane just b/c you use or have used tobacco products. As toro said a couple posts up, its standard AF to ask this kind of thing and then give you a health lecture. On one hand I really doubt it makes a difference, on the other hand you can say "no" (there isn't any physical exam, tests, etc. for Free Fall). But, that decision is up to you.

I had never met anyone who chewed/dipped before I joined the USAF. Now it seems like every other person I know does it. Water bottles full of spit clutter the planning room.

Still, I'd rather share a room with someone who's chewing than someone who's smoking. At least I don't have to breathe his spit.

I had never met anyone who chewed/dipped before I joined the USAF. Now it seems like every other person I know does it. Water bottles full of spit clutter the planning room.

Still, I'd rather share a room with someone who's chewing than someone who's smoking. At least I don't have to breathe his spit.

Yeah...well you better check the can/bottle when you roam around in the middle of the night deperately looking for something to drink!

You'll wish you had taken a drink from the ashtray...