Pipe smoking

Intervertebral disc prolapse - Pipe smoking Factor

If there is a history of pipe smoking it will be necessary to obtain information about:

• the quantity smoked (ascertain tobacco smoked per week in grams or ounces; 1 ounce = 28 grams);
• when this took place; and
• the reasons for smoking.

The evidence gathered should be as complete and accurate as possible.  Information already held in departmental files, e.g. in previous statements and clinical notes, should not be overlooked.  Conflicting evidence should be resolved.

Before a causal link between a smoking habit and service may be established, consideration must be given to Repatriation Commission Guideline CM5030 - Guideline for claims assessors on smoking and alcohol related conditions and military service.

Note:  The SOP factor dealing with pipe smoking covers only the smoking of tobacco.  It does not include non-tobacco products such as marijuana or hashish.  This is because the RMA SOP factors refer to "cigarettes or the equivalent thereof in other tobacco products".

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 September 2011.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [25168]

26927 there is some evidence that pipe smoking may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

4880     the veteran has ever smoked pipe tobacco.

38504  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for intervertebral disc prolapse.

38505   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of intervertebral disc prolapse.

38507  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of intervertebral disc prolapse.

or

38508  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of intervertebral disc prolapse.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

38506   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of intervertebral disc prolapse.

38509  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of intervertebral disc prolapse.

or

38510  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of intervertebral disc prolapse.

Clinical onset and operational service [38507]

38511  the veteran smoked at least ten grams of pipe tobacco per day for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

38515 where the veteran's pipe smoking has ceased or been reduced below ten grams of pipe tobacco per day, the clinical onset of the condition under consideration has occurred within two years of that cessation or reduction.

4911     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [38508]

38512  the veteran smoked at least ten grams of pipe tobacco per day for a continuous period of at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

38516 where the veteran's pipe smoking has ceased or been reduced below ten grams of pipe tobacco per day, the clinical onset of the condition under consideration has occurred within one year of that cessation or reduction.

4913     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [38509]

38513  the veteran smoked at least ten grams of pipe tobacco per day for a continuous period of at least one year before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

38517 where the veteran's pipe smoking has ceased or been reduced below ten grams of pipe tobacco per day, the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration has occurred within two years of that cessation or reduction.

4911     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to operational service.

204     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the period or periods of pipe smoking are causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [38510]

38514  the veteran smoked at least ten grams of pipe tobacco per day for a continuous period of at least five years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

38518 where the veteran's pipe smoking has ceased or been reduced below ten grams of pipe tobacco per day, the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration has occurred within one year of that cessation or reduction.

4913     the veteran has some period or periods of pipe smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

9205     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the period or periods of pipe smoking are causally related.