December 2014
Congressional leaders took mixed action on military sales of tobacco in the Defense Department Reauthorization bill. On the positive side, Congress has included language that effectively ends discount sales for tobacco products at military commissaries and exchanges. For many years, military stores have offered tobacco products at reduced prices.
However, the same bill also includes language that prevents the Department of Defense from banning the sales of tobacco products at military commissaries and exchanges. The language protecting the sales of tobacco products on military bases appears to be preemptive move by Congress to protect tobacco sales. Recently, several senior military leaders have suggested that it is time for the military to go tobacco-free. It appears that Congress disagrees.
