Page 12 - RADC Bulletin 2019

RESEARCH
Reasons for increased smoking habits
16% 2%
smoking or increase use, the availability of cessation services may help to prevent any worsening which can be expected on deployment.
Future Strike Operations
Whilst high tempo and dynamic future STRIKE operations are less likely to elicit boredom, it remains likely smoking habits will increase due to stress levels. Smoking cessation services and consideration of the rules on electronic cigarette in differing nations will need to be considered in future medical planning processes, as well as an individual consideration for personal supply of vaping material.
50%
Boredom Pressure
Other All
2% 8%
22%
Choice
Ban
Conclusion
Findings from this paper show that smoking habits increased whilst deployed, most significantly attributed to boredom, lack
of choice and a lack of availability of electronic cigarettes. This included a 270% increase in those smoking over a pack a day, and 24% of ex-smokers re-starting. Lack of clarity on electronic cigarettes was clearly a factor, which resulted in a lack of personal supply and availability. There is also clearly a demand for cessation services on prolonged deployments, with 30% suggesting they would have used such a service. The authors recommend a review of the pharmaceutical module to include such a service should be undertaken; Lack of a smoking cessation service when deployed is a real failing in the presence of a population willing to elicit change.
Figure 5: Reasons given for increased smoking habits on SS3
private soldiers were not nervous about approaching senior officers. Questionnaires were also handed out in the one place where almost all personnel are likely to visit while on camp, the dining facility.
Of the 560 questionnaires, 102 were filled out with minor gaps in information. Whether it was information for demographics or incomplete responses for their smoking statuses. The 560 responses were however deemed to be sufficient as primary
sources of evidence. Eight questionnaires were discounted from the study due to inappropriate or facetious responses.
Findings in this study support the evidence previously alluded to that both
the number of individuals and the volume which individuals smoke increases while on deployment. There was a 17.2% increase in the number of smokers over the course of the exercise. This is coupled with a
59% reduction in individuals using vaping products. From the data, it is difficult to see whether there was a conversion of those using electronic cigarettes into conventional tobacco cigarettes or whether ex-smokers and non-smokers had taken up smoking. It is likely a combination of the two.
A clear finding is that, as a general trend, those who did smoke ended the exercise smoking more than when they started. The most alarming finding is the prevalence
of individuals entering the heavy smoker 10 RADC BULLETIN 2019
bracket of 20 or more daily cigarettes, with an increase of 269.8%. The number of individuals with lower smoking habits therefore reduced during the course of the exercise.
One factor different in Oman to many other overseas deployments is the restriction of electronic cigarettes. It is illegal to sell vaping products in Oman, but not to carry
or use them. Although boredom and choice were the most common reasons for an uptake or increase in smoking, the ban
on electronic cigarettes ranked as the 3rd highest. It is also difficult to quantify the indirect impact of the ban. For instance in the vapers that did quit, was it out of their obedience to the chain of command brief
or was it in fact due to the lack of electronic cigarettes in country? This does prompt
the need for there to be more accurate and substantial evidence provided to personnel around the legalities of such a topic before deploying.
Most importantly in relation to future deployments, and with 72 positive responses, there is a genuine argument for smoking cessation products to be included in primary care modules. Even though only 42 respondents of the 10% sample size deployed actively seeking to quit smoking, a far greater number would potentially use the services. When considering also the increased tendency for people to take up
References
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