Pipe smoking

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 Statement of Principles (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 Repagtriation Medical Authority SOP factors refer to "cigarettes or the equivalent thereof in other tobacco products".

Last reviewed for CCPS 20 April 2005.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [24535]

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.

24537 the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24538 the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24540 the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

2454 the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe 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.

24539 the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

24542 the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

or

24543 the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

Clinical onset and operational service [24540]

24544 the veteran has smoked at least five pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

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

Clinical onset and eligible service [24541]

24545 the veteran has smoked at least ten pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

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

Clinical worsening and operational service [24542]

24546 the veteran has smoked at least five pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

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

24547 the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema 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 [24543]

24548 the veteran has smoked at least ten pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical worsening of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema.

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

24549 the clinical onset of chronic bronchitis and / or emphysema occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the period or periods of pipe smoking are causally related.