Tobacco Department of Defense (DOD)

OCT-15-97 17:52 FROM: OASD (FMP) AT-PENTAGON ID: 7036954046 PAGE 2/3 OF OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 4000 DEFENSE PENTAGON States STATE WASHINGTON D.C. 20301-4000 1 ANTIVERIARY 50 AMERICAN OCT 15 1997 FORCE MANAGEMENT POLICY MEMORANDUM FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY (M&RA) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (M&RA) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE (MRAI&E) DIRECTOR, DEFENSE COMMISSARY AGENCY SUBJECT: Tobacco Policy As the DoD IG noted in her report on "The Economic Impact on the Use of Tobacco in DoD," some service members may be receiving mixed signals on DoD's position concerning tobacco use. In order to present more clearly the Department of Defense message to our service members that tobacco use is detrimental to the health and readiness of our military forces, and that the Department supports the Healthy People 2000 goals, the following policy is established: Military retail outlets shall not enter into any new merchandise display or promotion agreements, or exercise any options in existing agreements, that provide for any increase in total tobacco shelf-space. This provision does not prohibit couponing, or incentives that allocate tobacco shelf-space among brands so long as total tobacco shelf-space is not increased. Military retail outlets shall not use self-service promotional displays outside of the tobacco department or accept incentives to increase the total number of tobacco displays. Incentives may only be accepted to reallocate existing tobacco shelf-space among tobacco brands, again, provided that the total amount of tobacco shelf-space is not increased Military retail outlets shall only adopt promotional practices for tobacco products that reflect general commercial practices (e.g., no military-only coupons or other promotion unique to the military resale system). Additionally, it is DoD policy that all resale activities take action to follow the new rules concerning sale of tobacco products to minors, issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and effective on February 28, 1997. Specifically: Do not sell cigarettes or smokeless tobacco to anyone under 18. Ensure that anyone buying cigarettes or smokeless tobacco is at least 18 years old or older. A customer's ID shall be checked if the buyer's age is not known to be over 18, and appears to be under 27.