Why Military Personnel Smoke More Than Civilians

A 2025 study from Boston University School of Public Health, the first of its kind since 2015, found that veterans are more likely to use all commercial tobacco products — cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco — compared to civilians . Nearly 1 in 4 veterans reported current tobacco use, and 19% used combustible tobacco products .

• 📈 Odds ratios: Veterans had 1.41x higher odds of smoking cigarettes, 1.97x higher for cigars, and 1.55x higher for polytobacco use compared to non-veterans .
• 🇨🇦 Canadian data: A 2026 study of 1,992 Canadian veterans found that infrequent cannabis use was associated with 1.93x higher odds of current smoking; regular cannabis use was associated with even higher odds .
• 🌍 Global pattern: In Uganda, military smoking rates were 34.8% vs. 5.3% in the general public . In South Korea, military service made men 10-15% more likely to ever smoke . The pattern holds across countries.
• 📉 Younger veterans at risk: Veterans aged 18-34 had higher risk for cigars, e-cigarettes, and multiple product use .

The relationship between the military and tobacco is not accidental — it was deliberately cultivated. During the World Wars, governments and tobacco companies worked together to ensure cigarettes were part of every soldier’s kit.

• 🎖️ WWII rations: Canadian soldiers received cigarettes in their standard rations. “The Great Army Smoke” brand offered “Whiz-Bang Mixture” tobacco free of charge to soldiers in France .
• 📦 Free distribution: A South Korean study found that 92% of veterans recalled cigarettes were free during their service — and those who recalled free cigarettes were 16% more likely to become smokers .
• 🔄 The legacy: This wartime distribution created a generation of smokers. The habit persisted after service, contributing to the high smoking rates we see today.
• 📉 Institutionalization: As one researcher noted, “military service is strongly associated with smoking, and differences between veterans and civilians smoking may carry over long after military service” .

Military service is inherently stressful. Deployment, combat exposure, and the transition back to civilian life all contribute to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. For many, nicotine becomes a coping mechanism.

• 💔 PTSD and smoking: A Canadian veterans study found that veterans with PTSD had significantly higher odds of current smoking — 1.93x for infrequent cannabis users and up to 2.37x for regular users .
• 😔 Stress and depression: In a study of 434 military members, 97% reported feeling stressed or depressed between 1-30 days each month. Many reported that nicotine helped decrease anxiety and helped them concentrate .
• 🧬 “Dual use” concern: Military members using both cigarettes and e-cigarettes (dual use) is a growing concern. This pattern may be driven by the belief that e-cigarettes are “safer” — but dual use exposes users to more nicotine and more health risks .
• 🔄 The cycle: Stress → smoking → health problems → more stress. This cycle is particularly vicious in military populations where smoking is normalized.

Smoking in the military is not just an individual habit — it’s a social and cultural phenomenon. The normalization of tobacco use within military culture is a powerful driver of continued smoking.

• 🚬 Social bonding: In the military, smoking often serves as a social ritual — a way to bond with fellow soldiers, take a break, and share camaraderie .
• 👥 Peer pressure: A South Korean study found that 38% of veterans recalled explicit “social pressure” to smoke during their service .
• 🔄 Normalization: When smoking is widely accepted and practiced, it becomes the default behaviour. Quitting becomes harder because it means rejecting a shared cultural norm.
• 📊 Workplace factors: In a Ugandan military study, predictors of smoking included having close friends who smoked and a history of military deployment .

Military deployment dramatically increases the risk of smoking. The stress of combat, the availability of cheap or free cigarettes, and the normalization of smoking in deployed settings all contribute.

• 📈 Increased consumption: International research shows that young deployed military personnel consume more alcohol and nicotine than their civilian peers .
• 🔄 The transition to veteran: Tobacco use tends to continue when servicemembers become veterans. As one researcher noted, the habit persists long after the uniform comes off .
• ⚠️ Veterans Health Administration (VHA): Veterans who use VHA healthcare have even higher odds of current cigarette use (aOR = 1.47) and combustible tobacco use (aOR = 1.28) .
• 📊 Younger veterans: Post-9/11 veterans (Afghanistan/Iraq conflicts) are at the highest risk for using new and emerging tobacco products .

Helping veterans quit smoking requires culturally informed, veteran-centric programs that address the specific barriers they face.

• 🩺 VHA screening: In October 2024, the VHA implemented new requirements for tobacco screening and brief counselling for veterans . Similar programs should be expanded in Canada.
• 💊 Integrated care: Treat smoking alongside mental health and chronic pain. Veterans using cannabis for PTSD or pain also smoke — cessation must address all substances .
• 👥 Peer support: Veteran-specific cessation programs that leverage peer support can address the social and cultural aspects of smoking.
• 🧠 Mental health focus: Reducing stress and treating PTSD is essential for smoking cessation. Veterans often smoke to cope — addressing the underlying stress is key .
• 📋 Product-specific approaches: Younger veterans need messaging about newer products (e-cigarettes) while older veterans need support for cigarette cessation .

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Armed Forces: Like other militaries, the CAF has a history of tobacco distribution. Canadian soldiers received cigarettes in their rations during WWII, and the culture persisted .
• 🩺 VAC support: Veterans Affairs Canada offers smoking cessation support, but uptake could be improved through targeted outreach.
• 🌿 Cannabis and tobacco: Canadian veterans who use cannabis have significantly higher odds of tobacco smoking — a dual-use pattern that requires integrated intervention .
• 📉 The opportunity: Veterans who perceive a need for care are more likely to seek help. This provides an opportunity for timely identification and intervention .

For veterans on fixed incomes, native cigarettes (Playfare, Canadian, DuMont, Nexus, Rolled Gold) offer an affordable alternative to overpriced commercial brands. A carton costs $29-50 — compared to $140-180 for commercial brands — a savings of 70-80%.

• 💰 Cost savings: A pack-a-day smoker saves $5,000-7,000 per year by switching to native cigarettes.
• 🚫 Not “healthier”: Native cigarettes contain the same nicotine, tar, and carcinogens as commercial brands. The only difference is price and packaging.
• 📦 Online delivery: Cigstore.ca ships to every province and territory with $29 flat shipping (free over $290).
• 🎖️ For veterans who cannot quit, native cigarettes are the most affordable option. But the goal remains cessation.