Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
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In the past, high rates of cigarette smoking have been reported in the British Armed Forces. We conducted an anonymous questionnaire survey in the 623 employees and attached staff of 34 Field Hospital on their sixth week of deployment to Iraq, in the course of Gulf War II. Information was sought on smoking status before and during the deployment, and self-declared reasons for smoking. 556 questionnaires were returned (response rate 89%). ⋯ Smoking rates in this medical unit increased substantially during the overseas deployment. There were no data on cigarette consumption after return to ordinary duties, so we cannot say whether these effects are short-term or long-term. However, even the pre-existing rate of 42% in regular army personnel is high enough to demand urgent action by an employer.