The Navy is considering a ban on the sale of tobacco products at Navy and Marine Corps Exchanges.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has asked his staff to examine the impact of stopping tobacco sales on base, defense officials tell NBC News.
"We've already taken one step by ending price subsidies for tobacco products (on base,) and Secretary Mabus has asked his staff to look at additional ways to improve the health and readiness of our force,” said Cmdr. Tamara Lawrence, spokeswoman for the Secretary of the Navy. “We are in the early stages of this process."
One defense official said the new policy could go into effect as soon as Oct. 1.
There are still many unanswered questions regarding a potential ban, including if the ban would extend to ships’ stores and overseas installations.
