Pipe smoking

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, 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.

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".

Investigative Documents

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [13399]

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

13143  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for chronic sinusitis.

13144   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

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.

13145   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [13144]

13146 the veteran had smoked at least 1 pack year of pipe tobacco at the time of the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

13148 as a causal result of operational service, the veteran was smoking more than 10 grams of pipe tobacco per day at the time of the clinical onset of chronic sinusitis.

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

CLINICAL WORSENING AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [13145]

13147 the veteran had smoked at least 1 pack year of pipe tobacco at the time of the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

13149 as a causal result of operational service, the veteran was smoking more than 10 grams of pipe tobacco per day at the time of the clinical worsening of chronic sinusitis.

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

9204     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.