Portsmouth Naval goes smoke-free Thursday

are within the grounds of the hospital. Most times, 1 goes to a hospital either for treatment of themselves or to visit a patient. Why is it so difficult to refrain from smoking in these situations?

I can see the nonsmoking on the hospital grounds, but beyond that it's a private matter and should be left to the individual to decide if they want to smoke or not.

Obviously, the dangers of smoking were not understood until the past thirty years or so. However, to refresh your memory, here are some celebities who have died of lung cancer: Nat "King"Cole, Bette Grable, Gary Cooper, Walt Disney, Yul Brenner, Duke Ellington, John Wayne, Jimmy Dorsey, Peter Jennings, and don't forget about the Marlboro Man himself who spoke out about the dangers of cigarettes after contracting cancer.

there are hospitals around the country that ban smoking anywhere on their campus, inside or out. That policy includes no smoking in cars parked in their lots. Hospitals should be completely smoke free, period. It's not silly for commanding officers to look out for the health of people within the realm of their command, either directly or indirectly. Smoking isn't a nasty activity that's no one's business other than the smoker. It's an addiction that leads directly to ill health & death , to the smoker & all unfortunates exposed to secondhand smoke, not to mention higher insurance premiums for non smokers in the same group health plans.

It's not just the hospital. The way the article is written, if correct, means that people can't smoke anywhere on the grounds of the facility except for two approved locations. So, if a sailor lives there, they have to leave their quarters and go to the "approved smoking area." Smoking previously was banned in the "center's clinical buildings since at least 1990" according to the article--I don't have a problem with that. But banning smoking EVERYWHERE except two locations on a facility that large? That's not justifiable.

HM: I don't know why you find a medical facility striving to save lives and protect innocent people from secondhand smoke useless. Sentara Bayside did it earlier this year and I commend their efforts. Smoking should be banned everywhere.

Headline reads: “Portsmouth Naval goes smoke-free Thursday” and goes on to say: “Two smoking areas will remain to accommodate sailors who live on base and staff who were grandfathered in before the ban was announced.”

First, Portsmouth Naval is not smoke free, it allows some smoking

Secondly, Portsmouth Naval, being a hospital, should be 100% smoke free.

I'm sure it will help the Navy in their war on pirates at sea. Commanders sitting around dreaming up useless junk like this is exactly what's wrong with the Navy today.

Edison, Hubble, Einstien...smokers

A bad habit that cost millions of dollars in medical treatment.