Story perspectives

30% of Service Members Smoke: Experts Advocate Harm Reduction

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Stephen Ferrara, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs, noted that 30% of U.S. service members use tobacco.
Experts highlighted smokeless nicotine products as a potential bridge to help military members quit smoking.
Chelsey Simoni, co-founder of the HunterSeven Foundation, called for better education on the differences between nicotine and tobacco.
The discussion aimed to promote tobacco harm reduction strategies among military personnel.

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Story summary

Stephen Ferrara, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs, noted that 30% of U.S. service members use tobacco.
Experts highlighted smokeless nicotine products as a potential bridge to help military members quit smoking.
Chelsey Simoni, co-founder of the HunterSeven Foundation, called for better education on the differences between nicotine and tobacco.
The discussion aimed to promote tobacco harm reduction strategies among military personnel.