3 min read
The Cigarette and the Soldier, Revisited: What the All-Volunteer Force Changed
The end of the draft changed the military's relationship with smoking. The all-volunteer force is healthier, more regulated, and less tolerant of smoking. But smoking rates remain elevated—particularly among combat veterans and junior enlisted personnel.
The draft military of the mid-20th century issued cigarettes in rations and tolerated smoking everywhere. The all-volunteer force of the 21st century has banned smoking in buildings, raised tobacco prices on bases, and invested in cessation programs. **But the culture persists: smoking remains a bonding ritual, a stress reliever, and a marker of enlisted identity. The military's smoking problem has been reduced—but it hasn't been solved.**
