Misconceptions with Tobacco use

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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  There are some misconceptions with tobacco use in the Air Force. Below are some of those with the correct answer from AFI 40-102:

Can I smoke in the workplace? 
No. The Air Force prohibits smoking (cigar, cigarette, pipe) and the use of smokeless (spit/loose tobacco) products in the workplace to protect the health of all workers. The use of tobacco products is permitted only in designated tobacco use areas. 

I'm a nonsmoker, do I get breaks too? 
Yes. The Air Force recognizes equal work breaks (when these breaks are permitted) for tobacco users and non-tobacco users. 

Can I smoke indoors on base?
Depends. The Air Force prohibits indoor tobacco use in all Air Force facilities, except in assigned government housing and recreation facilities specifically designated by the installation commander permitting indoor tobacco use. In such cases, the tobacco use area is designated and separate from common areas that non-smokers must utilize and the area must be enclosed and exhausted directly to the outside. Exhaust from these enclosed areas must be located away from air intakes and maintained under negative pressure sufficient to contain tobacco smoke in the designated area. Workforce must not be required to enter such areas during normal business hours while environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is present. The designated indoor tobacco use area may not be a public, common-use area, such as: restrooms, hallways, stairways, or offices. Installation commanders are encouraged to limit the size of these areas.

Can I smoke in recreational areas on base?
Depends. Tobacco use is prohibited in recreation facilities offering programs that are oriented toward children. Additionally, tobacco use is prohibited in all other recreation facilities during children's programs. 

Can I smoke in a government owned vehicle?
No. The Air Force prohibits tobacco use in Air Force vehicles by all personnel, civilian or military.

I'm a student doing professional military education, can I smoke?
Depends. The Air Force prohibits students from using tobacco in any professional military education (PME) or formal training school during school duty hours. Instructors and staff of PME and formal training courses are strongly encouraged to refrain from use of tobacco products and must be away from student view if using tobacco products during school duty hours. 

Where can I smoke?
The use of tobacco products is permitted only in designated tobacco use areas. Points of ingress and/or egress (i.e. doors) to facilities, in addition to windows and air intake units/vents, are considered part of the workplace. Any designated tobacco use areas will be away from these points. Tobacco use area distance must be more than sufficient so as not to allow smoke to be drawn into the building through openings in doors, windows, and/or air intake units. When possible, installation and/or squadron commanders designate outdoor tobacco use areas, which are reasonably accessible to employees and provide some protection from the elements.

Ultimately, the Air Force does not encourage the use of tobacco. If you are interested in quitting the use of tobacco contact the Health and Wellness Center at 696-4140.