Are you a Warfighter who only smokes or uses tobacco when hanging out with friends or family? This is known as social smoking, a form of light smoking that is triggered by social situations where others are likely to smoke and can include using cigarettes, cigars, hookah, smokeless tobacco and vaping devices. You may think smoking socially means you don’t need to worry about the harmful effects of tobacco products. However, even unplanned or infrequent smoking has health risks that can affect your military readiness and performance.

Where Social Smoking May Occur

If you smoke socially, you might be tempted by situations where others are using tobacco products. This may be especially true if alcohol is present, as people tend to smoke more when drinking alcohol. Examples of such settings include:

  • Spending time in a designated tobacco use area
  • Celebrations or parties
  • Hanging out at a bar
  • Going to a concert or other event
  • Being around friends, family or fellow Warfighters who smoke

Social Smoking Is Still Dangerous

Any amount of tobacco use harms your health and fitness. Even occasional smoking can damage your heart and lungs, increase your cancer risk and expose others around you to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Social smokers may be more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and experience a stroke. Social smoking has also been associated with reproductive issues (e.g., delayed conception, damaged sperm), slower injury recovery, cataracts and reduced quality of life.

What About Hookah?
Hookah is often thought to be safer than traditional cigarettes, but don’t be fooled. When you smoke hookah, you are inhaling cancer-causing chemicals and metals. Hookah use can also expose you to much higher levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine compared to regular cigarettes. In fact, a single hookah session may be as harmful to your body as smoking five packs of cigarettes! Although hookah is common in some deployment locations and may be tempting to try, it is not safe.

How to Say No When Temptations to Smoke Arise

If social situations tempt you to smoke, try to avoid places where smoking occurs and request that your friends don’t smoke near you. If this is not possible, make a plan ahead of time. Know how you are going to handle a situation where you are asked or pressured to smoke. Be assertive – practice saying no and creating boundaries out loud beforehand.

If you are offered a cigarette or other tobacco product, there are many things you can say to respectfully decline. Consider the options below or come up with your own.

No, thank you.

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Have Fun Without Tobacco

There are many fun things you can do that don’t involve tobacco. If you are trying to stop smoking socially, let friends and others at your command know. Those who care about you will support your decision not to engage in activities that involve tobacco. It may be helpful to spend time with people who have similar interests and don’t smoke. You can also try to avoid places where smoking is allowed.

Check out these ideas for socializing without tobacco:

  • Work out at the gym on your base or installation
  • Play video games or watch a sporting event with friends
  • Eat at an on-base dining facility or go out to lunch with colleagues
  • Go for a walk or run with others
  • Get involved in command activities, such as a fitness challenge or family event
  • Join an intramural sports team

Choosing not to smoke when others are takes courage, but it will get easier with time. Recognize social situations where you may want to smoke and limit them as much as possible. If you decide to quit smoking altogether, lean on those you trust and reach out to your health care provider, command leadership or chaplain for help.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or Text 838255. You can also call 911.