Smoking on Navy submarines was only banned last year!

The US navy resolved last New Year to quit smoking. Previously, they could smoke inside of submarines which were deprived of fresh air and natural light for months at a time. The ban was issued after a Pentagon study made the startling revelation that the risks of second hand smoke are especially high in high confined spaces. 

“Our sailors are our most important assets to accomplishing missions,” said Submarine Forces Commander Vice Admiral John Donnelley who ordered the ban aboard 73 US subs. The studies brought to his attention that even the air purification technology left unacceptable amounts of second-hand smoke within the submarine. Naturally, the only way to eliminate second-hand smoke would be to eliminate smoking. 

At the time the ban was issued, about 40% of the 13 000 US submarine sailors smoked (that was twice the national average). It should be noted that this is came 16 years after the ban on smoking in military buildings and US navy ships. 

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