No butts about it: Navy subs to ban smoking

By RUSS BYNUM AP Military Writer

KINGS BAY NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE, Ga. (AP) - Thousands of sailors who spend weeks underwater on Navy submarines will have to quit smoking now that the military plans to ban the habit on all subs.

The prohibition kicks in Dec. 31. Because submarine sailors spend up to 90 days at sea, the change means they'll have to kick the habit. The Navy estimates 5,200 sailors smoke aboard subs - from a pack a day to the occasional cigar.

The military banned most indoor smoking in 1994. Submarines were exempted because sailors serve long tours underwater with few creature comforts.

At Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base on the Georgia coast, sailors are being trained as mentors to lead smoking cessation classes with their crews and medical officers are ordering nicotine gum and patches in bulk.