This is news. The percentage of smokers in the military is greater than percentage in America as a whole. Some 34 percent of the military smoke, while only 25 percent of Americans smoke. At least one reason for a four percent rise in military smokers since 2002, states Col. Gerald W. Talcott with the Air Force Medical Support Agency, is the war on terror.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.