Tobacco use

HunchoJack

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Oct 24, 2018
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I'm sure its out there, but I couldn't find any specifics on what the academy thinks of students smoking. I'm applying to the merchant marine academy this year and I use a juul and smoke cigars about once a month and have dipped maybe 5 times. I was just wondering what their policy is on this? I'm 18 right now too, so I don't know if it makes a difference to them whether you're underage or not because in my state its legal to consume tobacco products if you're under 18.
 
Is it legal for minors to possess tobacco products in your state? Many states have no restriction on consumption for minors, but most of those make it illegal for a minor to possess tobacco products. How one uses tobacco products without being in possession of them is beyond me, but there are stranger things in the world of legalese.
 
These policies are found in Midshipman Regulations. See the link below - it may not be the most current, but I doubt the policy has changed. It doesn’t specifically address juuling, pre-dates that particular variation on e-cigs as a tobacco-less nicotine delivery device.

With luck, a current mid or recent grad will post.

USMMA at a minimum must follow Federal regulations on smoking of tobacco products - not inside and only in designated areas.

I’ll be interested to know if juuling is permitted during the initial summer training. Going without could be a challenge for someone who is accustomed to the nicotine usage.


https://www.usmma.edu/sites/usmma.edu/files/docs/Midshipman Regulations - 16 May 2011.pdf

Given the increasing rates of juuling among teens, I’ve educated myself on what the current medical opinion is on this trend. I hope you have too, and have a care for your health.
 
My DD is a current mid at USMMA and my DS is a 2013 graduate. Unfortunately, tobacco use of all kinds is common among mids both on campus and at sea. It is supposed to be in designated areas only, but it is a rule that is often violated without consequences.
 
I'm sure its out there, but I couldn't find any specifics on what the academy thinks of students smoking. I'm applying to the merchant marine academy this year and I use a juul and smoke cigars about once a month and have dipped maybe 5 times. I was just wondering what their policy is on this? I'm 18 right now too, so I don't know if it makes a difference to them whether you're underage or not because in my state its legal to consume tobacco products if you're under 18.

Theoretically, the use of tobacco is against the plebe standards of conduct. But you can easily use tobacco as a plebe, especially if its a juul, without getting caught. It's also easy to dip without getting caught. So you can really do either. A lot of people smoke cigars, and the academy usually doesn't care about tobacco. At sea, a large percentage of people smoke or vape.
 
I started smoking during Sea Year. At the time cigarettes were available in any slop chest at a huge discount (not taxed). They also were as good as cash to use ashore. That said, I haven't smoked for way over 10 years now. When I was sailing I was a three pack a day smoker. . . with lots of caffeine. . . . tugs will do that to an engineer. . .
 
I started smoking during Sea Year. At the time cigarettes were available in any slop chest at a huge discount (not taxed). They also were as good as cash to use ashore. That said, I haven't smoked for way over 10 years now. When I was sailing I was a three pack a day smoker. . . with lots of caffeine. . . . tugs will do that to an engineer. . .

Not much changed I guess. Lit my first cig out in the middle of the ocean. The cig vending machines in Japan didn't help either. Quit again back in the states. Not to mention bribing port officials and workers with cigs. Coffee and cigs are a way of life out there. I cant imagine smoking three packs in a day though, although I know guys out there who did that.
 
I started smoking during Sea Year. At the time cigarettes were available in any slop chest at a huge discount (not taxed). They also were as good as cash to use ashore. That said, I haven't smoked for way over 10 years now. When I was sailing I was a three pack a day smoker. . . with lots of caffeine. . . . tugs will do that to an engineer. . .

Not much changed I guess. Lit my first cig out in the middle of the ocean. The cig vending machines in Japan didn't help either. Quit again back in the states. Not to mention bribing port officials and workers with cigs. Coffee and cigs are a way of life out there. I cant imagine smoking three packs in a day though, although I know guys out there who did that.

Like I said, ocean tugs will do that. . . .being a CE and standing a watch. . .long hours, small ER crew (with one company, I was the only one in the engineering staff onboard). . . frankly, I don't know how I did it either. Wasn't even that hard to quit once I put my mind to it, but ashore, I was down to less that a pack a day.
 
USMMA is located in Nassau County, in which the legal age to purchase tobacco is 21. I'm not sure if persons under this age are allowed to possess/use tobacco products but I know that the academy permits tobacco use (in designated areas). I assume if it is legal in Nassau County to use tobacco under 21 that the academy would allow it, if you can get someone over 21 to buy it or somehow get your hands on it.

I am 18 years old and in PA (my state) it is legal to purchase and use tobacco at this age. Hopefully, the Nassau County law permits tobacco use for persons under 21 because if not I'm going to have a problem trying to stop. Yes, I realized this is frowned upon and it's not a point of pride for me, however, I don't think that tobacco use necessarily means you have bad character.
 
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