Chapters:
00:00 Why Veterans Smoke
00:35 VA Quit Message
01:16 What VA Gets Right
02:00 The Timing Gap
03:30 Who the Gap Hurts
04:27 Three Risk Truths
05:42 Beyond Products
06:22 EMDR Protocol Options
07:49 Evidence and Limits
08:30 Two Halves Solution
09:26 Closing Appeal
10:11 Sources and Share

Tim Vermilion argues on the EMDR News Podcast that veterans’ smoking is often tied to trauma-related feelings like calm after chaos, control, and connection, not merely willpower. He says the VA does many things right—encouraging quitting and providing counseling, Quit VET/Smoke-Free VET, medications, and nicotine pouch fact sheets—but its 2026 tobacco guideline’s evidence review closed in December 2024, one month before the FDA authorized the first nicotine pouches (Jan 16, 2025) and updated public “continuum of risk” messaging that non-combusted products generally carry lower risk for adults who switch completely. The gap most affects veterans who repeatedly quit and relapse. He stresses: benefits require fully switching off cigarettes and this applies only to adult smokers. He recommends pairing current risk information with trauma-informed EMDR addiction protocols (Popky’s Detour, Hayes’ Cravex, Miller’s Feeling State Addiction) that target triggers, craving memory, and positive feeling states linked to smoking.

Related article and sources:
https://emdrnews.com/2026/06/27/va-veterans-smoking-nicotine-risk-emdr/

EMDRNews is a source-led podcast for EMDR-informed clinicians and professionals. Episodes are for education and commentary only, not clinical advice, supervision, consultation, or a substitute for formal EMDR training. Please do not send client details or protected health information.

Read more: https://emdrnews.com
Get the EMDRNews Brief: https://emdrnews.com/brief/

Curious about how EMDR actually works? 🎙️ Our latest podcast episode dives into the debate and science behind this powerful therapeutic approach. Discover why it's so much more than just eye movements and how it helps people worldwide. Join me, Tim Vermilion, on EMDR News Podcast as I unpack the real story. Listen now! #EMDR #MentalHealth #Therapy #Podcast

00:00 Welcome and Big Question
00:47 What People Think EMDR Is
01:37 Protocol Not Just Eyes
02:17 Working Memory Explained
03:42 Two Myths Debunked
05:02 Memory Feelings vs Facts
05:59 Body and Orienting Response
06:54 Memory Updating Theories
07:44 Brain Scans Reality Check
08:33 AIP Model for Clinicians
09:20 Putting It All Together
10:22 Dinner Party Summary
10:59 Disclaimer and Wrap Up

EMDRNews is a source-led podcast for EMDR-informed clinicians and professionals. Episodes are for education and commentary only, not clinical advice, supervision, consultation, or a substitute for formal EMDR training. Please do not send client details or protected health information.

Read more: https://emdrnews.com
Get the EMDRNews Brief: https://emdrnews.com/brief/

EMDRNews is a source-led podcast for EMDR-informed clinicians and professionals. Episodes are for education and commentary only, not clinical advice, supervision, consultation, or a substitute for formal EMDR training. Please do not send client details or protected health information.

Read more: https://emdrnews.com
Get the EMDRNews Brief: https://emdrnews.com/brief/

Send a text

In this podcast episode, host Doc V and Call Sign Wizard discuss the critical issue of tobacco-related illnesses among veterans and the need for effective harm reduction strategies. Highlighting alarming statistics, Doc V explains that 77 veterans die each day from smoking-related illnesses, totaling about 28,000 deaths per year. He draws attention to the inadequacy of current smoking cessation treatments and the potential benefits of e-cigarettes and vaping as alternatives. The episode emphasizes the need for better awareness, advocacy, and resources to address this public health crisis. Doc V encourages listeners, particularly therapists working with veterans, to take actionable steps in supporting tobacco harm reduction and improving veterans' health.

00:00 Introduction to Tobacco Harm Reduction
01:06 Veterans and Tobacco-Related Deaths
05:11 The Social and Stress Factors of Smoking in the Military
07:54 Nicotine's Effects and Misconceptions
10:28 E-Cigarettes and Vaping as Harm Reduction
16:54 Current Treatments and Their Limitations
27:40 Call to Action: Reducing Veteran Smoking Deaths
29:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Thank you for tuning in to Call Sign: Wizard. If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, sharing, or leaving a review. Remember, the work we do with veterans is vital, and together, we’re making a difference one session at a time.

For more insights and resources tailored to therapists who work with veterans, follow us on Facebook. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll continue exploring the challenges and triumphs in veteran mental health. Until next time, stay grounded, stay informed, and keep doing the work that matters

EMDRNews is a source-led podcast for EMDR-informed clinicians and professionals. Episodes are for education and commentary only, not clinical advice, supervision, consultation, or a substitute for formal EMDR training. Please do not send client details or protected health information.

Read more: https://emdrnews.com
Get the EMDRNews Brief: https://emdrnews.com/brief/

Send a text

00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Discussion
00:23 The Issue of Tobacco Use Among Veterans
00:38 Challenges with Traditional Smoking Cessation
00:49 Exploring Harm Reduction
01:08 The Role of Vaping and E-Cigarettes
01:13 Deep Dive into Vaping Research
01:47 Realistic Conversations and Harm Reduction
02:10 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Description:

Doc V from Call Sign Wizard announces an important discussion addressing tobacco use among veterans, scheduled for Monday at 3 p.m. The talk will focus on the high rates of tobacco use in the veteran community, the challenges associated with quitting, and the potential of harm reduction strategies like vaping and e-cigarettes. The session aims to provide an informed, realistic perspective on tobacco harm reduction, backed by research. It invites veterans, clinicians, and advocates to participate, promising a science-based, no-scare-tactics conversation about effective smoking cessation methods.

Click to see: Facebook Invite
Click to see and follow: Facebook Page

Thank you for tuning in to Call Sign: Wizard. If you found this episode helpful, please consider subscribing, sharing, or leaving a review. Remember, the work we do with veterans is vital, and together, we’re making a difference one session at a time.

For more insights and resources tailored to therapists who work with veterans, follow us on Facebook. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll continue exploring the challenges and triumphs in veteran mental health. Until next time, stay grounded, stay informed, and keep doing the work that matters

EMDRNews is a source-led podcast for EMDR-informed clinicians and professionals. Episodes are for education and commentary only, not clinical advice, supervision, consultation, or a substitute for formal EMDR training. Please do not send client details or protected health information.

Read more: https://emdrnews.com
Get the EMDRNews Brief: https://emdrnews.com/brief/