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.

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".

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [9830]

22895 there is some evidence that pipe smoking may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

4880     the veteran has ever smoked pipe tobacco.

13805  the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

13806   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

or

13807   the veteran has established the causal connection between the pipe smoking and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

Clinical onset and operational service [13806]

32276 the veteran has smoked at least 15 pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and, where smoking has ceased, the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred within 30 years of cessation.

32277 the veteran's service related smoking of pipe tobacco commenced at least 20 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.

Clinical onset and eligible service [13807]

32278 the veteran has smoked at least 25 pack years of pipe tobacco before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration and, where smoking has ceased, the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred within 15 years of cessation.

32279 the veteran's service related smoking of pipe tobacco commenced at least 35 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.