Smoking in the Singapore Armed Forces

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Military Health
• Smoking Cessation

Background:

• The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) implemented a comprehensive smoking control program in 1986.
• This program integrated health education, counseling, and administrative strategies to reduce smoking prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the SAF's smoking control program.
• To identify smoking behaviors and influences among military personnel.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in 1993 involving 3,545 respondents from the SAF (regulars, National Service Full-time, and National University of Singapore Armed Forces).
• Data collected included smoking prevalence, age of initiation, and influences on smoking behavior.

Main Results:

• Regular smoking prevalence in the SAF decreased from 28.6% in 1987 to 20.7% in 1993.
• The majority of smokers (88.9%) started before enlistment, with most initiating independently or through external influences.
• The mean age of smoking onset was 14.3 years, indicating early initiation.

Conclusions:

• While awareness of smoking's harm is high, it doesn't translate to behavioral change.
• Preventive strategies should target younger individuals and focus on attitudinal and behavioral changes rather than just information dissemination.