Tobacco products are not permitted but are pretty commonly used, at least in my part of the commonwealth. The culture is shifting for sure, hopefully that momentum continues.

Yes you are right. Although it is interesting that despite the cancer presumption law in Massachusetts, many firefighters still choose to consume tobacco products. I feel like the culture still has a long way to go and there’s so many things that can be done to limit exposure but are still ignored.

I believe this stat is normally accounting for retired firefighters as well. The generation that have retired in the last ten years and are retiring now, had way more exposure to obvious carcinogens vs career firefighters of today.