No Smoking. And That's an Order!

By CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY

SEVERAL MONTHS AT SEA WITHOUT A SMOKE. IT SOUNDS LIKE A nicotine addict's nightmare, but actually it's just the new Navy. In July the aircraft carrier THEODORE ROOSEVELT will become the first major ship to ban smoking entirely. Violators will face reprimands or other disciplinary actions. The good news: gum chewing, previously banned on the ship, will now be allowed. The Navy will also distribute nicotine patches and conduct on-board briefings on how to kick the habit. The Navy hopes to make its entire fleet smoke-free by the year 2000.