Designated Tobacco Areas

Published Aug. 13, 2013

Ellsworth AFB, S.D. -- The Commander' s Action Line is a forum for the Ellsworth community to make suggestions or voice concerns about Ellsworth directly to Col. Kevin Kennedy, 28th Bomb Wing commander.

QUESTION

Col. Kennedy,

As a recently retired Chief and lifetime non-smoker I appreciate that the DoD has made workplaces and other common areas "non-smoking" over the years. I do take exception with the designated smoking areas, especially the one located near the dorms. I don't think that simply placing a butt can and a "Designated Smoking Area" sign in the middle of a field provides a suitable place for single Airmen who wish to smoke. I see other DSA's on base that are covered. Here we have Airmen who cannot smoke in their own "home" and must trudge out to a field without any cover or place to sit. While I support efforts to discourage smoking, this certainly seems to be a less than satisfactory setup for our Airmen. Thank you for your consideration.

Col. Kevin
Kennedy

RESPONSE

Chief, thank you for your question and concern for our Airmen. As you note, we have reduced the number of Designated Tobacco Areas (DTAs) on the installation from 58 to 34 in keeping with guidelines outlined in Air Force Instruction 40-102, "Tobacco Use in the Air Force." In accordance with this AFI, our Civil Engineer Squadron worked with Commanders and Facility Managers to ensure DTAs are at least 50 feet from building entrances, pedestrian walkways and parking lots to prevent secondhand smoke exposure. The AFI requirements drive us to the solution you noted.

According to the AF Surgeon General, over 30,000 Airmen will ultimately die of tobacco-related medical complications at current tobacco use rates. This also translates into our bottom-line as we fund tobacco related medical costs. Putting aside the negative aspects tobacco use has on our Air Force, given our fiscal challenges I do not have the resources to build a smoking shelter for use by a small portion of dorm residents.