(CNN) — Smoking and submarines don’t mix.
That’s the message the U.S. Navy is sending after announcing that smoking will no longer be permitted below decks on its submarines effective December 31.
“This policy was initiated for the health of the sailors who choose not to smoke,” said Lt. Commander Mark Jones, spokesman for the Commander Naval Submarine Forces in Norfolk, Virginia. “It is unfair for them to be exposed to the unhealthy side effects of secondhand smoke.”
Jones said the submarine force conducted a study in 2009 on nine different submarines covering the four different classes of subs. In that testing, it found nonsmokers were being exposed to the effects of secondhand smoke.
There are currently 57 submarines serving in the U.S. Navy, and about 13,000 sailors on submarine active duty, according to Jones. Of those sailors, recent polling indicates 35 to 40 percent are smokers, he said.
Jones conceded there will likely be complaints…
What? Sailors complain? Nahhhh…
I always found it sort of unimaginable that smoking was ever allowed on a submarine. Air is precious enough down there. But for once, I have a tiny bit of sympathy for the smokers. To me, it would be stressful enough to be underwater without being deprived of something to which I’m addicted.
That said, this is a good move.
“To me, it would be stressful enough to be underwater without being deprived of something to which I’m addicted.”
I guess the heroin, coke and sex addicts are now being joined by the nicotine addicts. At least you can by Nicorette over the counter….