Tobacco Use in the Military: An Insider's Perspective

Video Length | 1:02:18

Recorded | November 2023

Podcast Description

In this Learning Lab episode, host Kathleen Bates sits down with retired Naval Executive Officer, Alvaro (Al) Lima, to reflect on the changing targeted marketing tactics he witnessed from tobacco companies over the course of his 30 years of service. In addition, Lima provides insight on the cultural acceptance of tobacco use while serving tours in other countries and the altered sense of reality it has created for men and women globally since the 80's. Lastly, Kathleen and Al discuss practical efforts to bridge the gap in denormalizing the use of tobacco, especially among new recruits and veterans.

Expert Guest

Alvaro Lima

Alvaro Lima

Al Lima is a retired Senior Military Leader, with over 30 years of C-level experience in the Department of Defense. Alvaro excelled in serving the United States in the U.S. Navy as the Executive Officer, Officer in Charge, Chief of Operations and Chief of Planning in Rhode Island, Hawaii, Texas..., Florida, California, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bahrain, Portugal, and Spain.

Al was a Senior Military Leader serving as the Emergency Management Chair where he was responsible for all humanitarian aspects of emergencies on base. Safety Committee Chair, responsible for the oversight of the Navy Occupational Safety and Health, and Operational Risk Management. Navy Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council Chair, responsible for anti-drug and alcohol policy implementations.

Al received a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, his Master of Science in Information Technology management from Touro University, and 36 PHD hours in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology from Trident University.

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Learning Lab Host

Kathleen Bates

Kathleen Bates, MS

Kathleen Bates is the Youth Initiatives Program Manager at the Texas School Safety Center, located at Texas State University. Kathleen is dedicated to educating and empowering people of all ages to support healthy communities and has actively engaged in prevention work since graduating...with her bachelor’s in 2012. Her background comes from the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness where the love of working with youth and communities truly flourished. Kathleen holds two degrees, a Bachelor of Science specializing in community health from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Science in public health education and promotion from Texas State University.
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Podcast Available On

Podcast Produced By: Community Prevention Program, Youth & Community Initiatives Division

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