Military Service Members and Veterans

Service members and military veterans have higher rates of tobacco product use than civilians. Cigarette smoking is more common among Service members who have been deployed overseas. Cigarette smoking increases your risk for lung cancer, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and many other diseases.

• Many Service members start using tobacco after they enter military service.
• During 2010–2015, more than 1 in 5 (21.6%) veterans in the United States reported current cigarette smoking.¹ In 2018, 14.6% of veterans enrolled for care reported current cigarette smoking.²

In addition to adversely affecting their health, the high prevalence of tobacco use among military and veteran personnel also has a significant financial impact. In 2014, the Defense Department spent nearly $1.8 billion in medical and non-medical costs related to tobacco use.³ During 2010, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) spent an estimated $2.7 billion on smoking-related ambulatory care, prescription drugs, hospitalizations, and home health care.⁵

Learn what percentage of people currently smokes cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific population groups.

If you are an active duty or a retired Service member, you and your family may access quitting support through your TRICARE coverage and through Defense Department programs. If you are in the Reserve or National Guard, check out the resources below.

• The Defense Department’s YouCanQuit2 campaign has many resources to help people in the U.S. military quit tobacco use.
• Tobacco cessation services  may be available to you through TRICARE, including counseling and medications to help you quit tobacco use.
• Find more information and resources about how to quit all forms of tobacco including smoking on the Tobacco-Free Living webpage of the Total Force Fitness website.

Find resources [PDF-794 KB] at the Defense Department’s YouCanQuit2 campaign to help motivate you and increase your confidence so you can quit tobacco for good.

Are you in the Air Force?

• Contact your local Military Treatment Facility (MTF) and/or Health Promotion team for local tobacco cessation resources.

 Are you in the Army?

• Visit the Army Public Health Center to learn more about Tobacco-Free Living & Vaping.

 Are you in the Navy?

• Find resources and tools to help you quit tobacco use through the Tobacco-Free Living program at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center.
• You can also visit your local health promotion office or talk with your medical or dental provider at your military treatment facility.
• Use the Starter Kit to Quit Tobacco for tips, considerations, and actions if you use tobacco or are supporting someone who is quitting.

 Are you in the Marine Corps?

• Learn more about the Operation Tobacco-Free Marine (OTFM) Tobacco Cessation Program.
• Visit your battalion aid station or talk with your local medical staff.

 Are you in the US Coast Guard?

• Get more information from the Office of Work-Life Programs about the Tobacco Cessation Program.

If you are a veteran enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, you have access to VA resources and services to help you quit smoking. Smoking cessation counseling is available at all VA medical centers, and FDA-approved smoking cessation medications are available through all VA pharmacy programs. Use the Veterans Health Administration Facility Locator to find a VA health care facility near you.

• Visit The VA’s Tobacco and Health page to find information about:
  • Quitting tobacco use.
  • Cessation medications.
  • Cessation counseling.
• Find tools, resources, and support to help you become tobacco-free at SmokefreeVET.
  • Learn how nicotine replacement therapy can increase your chances of quitting.
  • Enroll in text messaging cessation support at SmokefreeVET. Text VET to 47848 for support in English, or VETesp for support in Spanish.
• Call the VA National Quitline at 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838). Get more information about the VA national quitline.
• Contact your primary care team today to learn more about the resources that are available to help you quit tobacco use.

You have access to the FEHB plan tobacco cessation benefit if you are a federal employee whose Condition of Employment includes:

• Membership in a military unit and who has elected coverage in the FEHB Program.
• An activated federal employee eligible and is electing to maintain FEHB enrollment during military service.
• A Defense Department civilian employee electing coverage in the FEHB program.
• A veteran, who makes up about 30% of the federal workforce.⁴
• A family member included as a beneficiary under a FEHB enrollee.

The tobacco cessation benefit covers treatment for all forms of tobacco use, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco. Because the combination of counseling and medication gives you the best chance of quitting successfully, the benefit covers:

• At least two quit attempts per year, and at least four tobacco cessation counseling sessions per quit attempt. These behavioral interventions include individual counseling, group counseling, and proactive telephone counseling.
• All FDA-approved tobacco cessation medications, including over-the-counter tobacco cessation medications, with a doctor’s prescription or as part of a plan-approved tobacco cessation program. This includes combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
• These benefits are provided with no copayments or coinsurance and are not subject to deductibles or annual or life-time dollar limits.

For more information on how to access the benefit, please contact your health plan or consult your plan’s brochure.

Learn the real stories of military Service members and veterans who suffer from smoking-related diseases and disabilities.