Cigarette smoking

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Cigarette smoking Factor

This factor deals with the personal use of cigarettes, i.e. it does not include passive smoking.

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

• the quantity smoked (either tailor-made cigarettes per day or hand-rolled cigarettes in ounces per week or a combination of both);
• 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, eg 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.

Last reviewed for CCPS 20 April 2005.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [24506]

5803     the veteran has ever smoked cigarettes.

24507  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and VEA service for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24508   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24510  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

24511  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

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.

24509   the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24512  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

24513  the veteran has established the causal connection between the cigarette smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

Clinical onset and operational service [24510]

24514 the veteran has smoked at least five pack years of cigarettes before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

3116     the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [24511]

24515 the veteran has smoked at least ten pack years of cigarettes before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

3521     the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [24512]

24516 the veteran has smoked at least five pack years of cigarettes before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

3116     the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to operational service.

24517 the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the period or periods of cigarette smoking are causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [24513]

24518 the veteran has smoked at least ten pack years of cigarettes before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

3521     the veteran has some period or periods of cigarette smoking that are causally related to eligible service.

24519 the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the period or periods of cigarette smoking are causally related.