In Russia, apparently quitting them will kill too. Photo: ajnabeee/Flickr
Russia Fears Its Troops Will Riot if Cigarette Rations End -- Danger Room
Russia’s new defense minister wants to extinguish one of the Russian military’s most endemic health problems and martial perks: giving free cigarettes to troops. His challenge is to prevent nicotine-deprived soldiers from violently freaking out.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has reportedly drawn up a rule to end the longstanding practice of providing enlisted troops and cadets with 10 cigarettes a day. According to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, the reason is pretty straightforward: Russian soldiers choke down cigarettes, and the subsidy is encouraging the next generation of uniformed addicts.
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My Comment: Cigarettes are also used as a type of "currency" by Russian soldiers. In my own case, I always brought cartons of Marlboros when I was visiting my cousins who were serving in the Soviet military .... trust me .... those smokes were always appreciated .... especially Marlboros. I can also include China in this mix .... when I was working in China in the late-1980s, cartons of Marlboros opened many a door for me when I wanted to meet someone and/or do business in the country. But today .... sighhhh .... everyone now wants cash.