Prevalence of Use, Impact on Oral Health, and Knowledge Regarding Tobacco Smoking: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Military Marines

Background: Despite well-documented adverse impact on both systemic and oral health, tobacco smoking remains a persistent issue in military populations. It contributes to the global burden of tobacco use and is often perceived as a means of coping with stress in military settings. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tobacco use among military marines, its impact on oral health, and their level of knowledge regarding smoking, as well as to identify variables associated with their smoking habits. Thus, it provides a basis for implementing appropriate tobacco cessation and harm reduction strategies, particularly within the military. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of tobacco use among military marines, despite generally high levels of knowledge regarding tobacco smoking. A knowledge gap was still evident in relation to smoking behavior. The most frequently reported oral health impacts among smokers were tooth staining, halitosis, and taste impairment. Duration of military service and level of knowledge were significantly associated with smoking behavior. Materials and Methods: A validated and reliable online survey was administered to collect socio-demographic data, including age, education level, and length of military service. The survey also assessed smoking status, smoking behavior, its impact on oral health, and participants’ knowledge of smoking-related risks. Data were analyzed descriptively, and associated factors were examined using multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 475 military marines participated in the study. Of these, 44.8% were current smokers, 25.7% were former smokers, and 29.5% had never smoked. Overall, 71% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of smoking-related risks. The most commonly reported oral health impacts were halitosis, tooth staining, and impaired taste. Smoking status did not differ significantly by age (p = 0.095) or education level (p = 0.610), but differed significantly by length of military service (p < 0.05) and level of knowledge (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis using multinomial logistic regression indicated that length of military service was a significant predictor of smoking behavior (p = 0.005; 95% CI: 0.282–0.800), with 1–5 years of service emerging as the most influential category. Based on the odds ratio, individuals with 11–15 years of service had a 1.8-fold higher likelihood of smoking. Conclusions: Despite a generally good level of knowledge regarding the health risks of smoking, the prevalence of tobacco use remains high among military marines. The most commonly reported oral health impacts were tooth staining, halitosis, and impaired taste. Length of military service and level of knowledge regarding smoking were identified as significant factors associated with smoking status.