Pipe smoking

Malignant neoplasm of the lung - 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.

NB  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 18 July 2007.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [4879]

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.

5824     the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.

14754   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.

or

14755   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.

Clinical onset and operational service [14754]

5804     the veteran has a malignant neoplasm of the lung of the first kind.

5816     the veteran has a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

or

5817     the veteran has a carcinosarcoma of the lung.

or

5818     the veteran has a small cell or oat cell carcinoma of the lung.

or

5819     the veteran has a malignant neoplasm of the lung of undetermined histology.

or

5821     the veteran has a large cell carcinoma of the lung.

14758  the veteran had smoked at least one half of a pack-year of pipe tobacco prior to the clinical onset of the malignant neoplasm of the lung of the first kind.

31752 the veteran commenced the service related pipe smoking at least 5 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

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

or

5820     the veteran has an adenocarcinoma of the lung.

14759  the veteran had smoked at least three pack-years of pipe tobacco prior to the clinical onset of the malignant neoplasm of the lung of the second kind.

Clinical onset and eligible service [14755]

5804     the veteran has a malignant neoplasm of the lung of the first kind.

5816     the veteran has a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

or

5817     the veteran has a carcinosarcoma of the lung.

or

5818     the veteran has a small cell or oat cell carcinoma of the lung.

or

5819     the veteran has a malignant neoplasm of the lung of undetermined histology.

or

5821     the veteran has a large cell carcinoma of the lung.

14758  the veteran had smoked at least one half of a pack-year of pipe tobacco prior to the clinical onset of the malignant neoplasm of the lung of the first kind.

31754 the veteran commenced the service related pipe smoking at least 10 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

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

or

5820     the veteran has an adenocarcinoma of the lung.

14759  the veteran had smoked at least three pack-years of pipe tobacco prior to the clinical onset of the malignant neoplasm of the lung of the second kind.