One of Deyton’s priorities had been revitalization of the VA’s smoking and
tobacco use cessation programs. Under his leadership, current smoking among veterans enrolled in the cessation program fell from 33 percent in 1999 to 22 percent in 2007. The VA health care system is the largest integrated provider of health care and medical services in the United States, with more than 1,400 sites serving nearly 6 million veterans in fiscal year 2008.