Tri-service Health Questionnaire – 1989

An anonymous, self administered health questionnaire survey of the habits and attitudes of servicemen in the 3 Services was conducted. The overall response rate was 75%. This paper reports the results of questions on smoking. The Army had the greatest percentage of smokers, smoked most heavily and had the worst attitude to smoking of the 3 Services. The RAF had the best results in these fields. There was a higher percentage of smoker, who smoke more heavily in Germany/seadraft than UK/shoredraft. There was a rank gradient in percentage smokers, with the lowest ranks smoking the most. A sizeable proportion of the smoking population wish to give up, have tried to do so and feel their Medical Officer should be interested in their smoking habits. A reduction in prevalence of cigarette smoking to less than 30% within 5 years is recommended as a Tri-service Health Policy Goal, with the Army, Tri-Service 16-20 year olds and Private-Corporal rank equivalents and recruits, as specific target groups for intervention. The health promotion strategy should include concerted anti-smoking advice from Medical Officers.