And the Department of Defense wants everyone else to quit
In the new year of 2018, things are going to be much different for smokers, vapers and tobacco chewers, especially if they wear a military uniform.
The U.S. Navy fired the first shot of the year with a news release, pointing out that "Effective January 1, 2018, the Department of the Defense voluntarily enacted a policy that aligns with the new Guam law that raises the minimum age to purchase, possess, or consume tobacco products and electronic cigarettes from 18 to 21 years of age."
So if you're a junior military member planning to stock up at the Exchange, forget about it. "The policy is consistent with DoD’s policy on tobacco use and states that DoD resale activities, including Morale, Welfare and Recreation points of sale, located on Guam will not sell or distribute tobacco products or electronic cigarettes to persons under 21 years of age."
And the Navy piles on the rhetoric to emphasize that it's an important policy change: "Tobacco fights dirty. It's a dangerous addiction that's expensive, deadly and has a serious impact on readiness. Sailors and Marines who smoke get sick more often, which translates into more lost workdays and hospitalizations than nonsmokers. Equally as bad are the effects of secondhand smoke on your shipmates."
Of course, coming from DoD, this is equally applicable to Air Force and Army personnel, but the Navy was the first to put out a press release pointing it out.