IDF urged to enforce smoking ban in bases
Organization that fights violations of no-smoking laws in Israel sends letter to military advocate general asking him to ensure ban on smoking in public places is imposed in army
Military Advocate General Brig.-Gen. Avichai Mendelblit was asked Monday to see to it that a ban on smoking in public places is enforced at army bases.
The Linshom Naki (Breathing Clean Air) organization, which works to promote the enforcement of no-smoking laws in Israel, sent a letter to Mandelblit stating that it was up to the commanding officers at each military facility to make sure that regulations were being upheld.
"The issue in question is of great importance, and involves safeguarding the fundamental rights of IDF soldiers who are non-smokers and who do not wish to be exposed to passive smoking," the organization said in the letter.
According to Linshom Naki, despite a General Staff order from 2003 that defines the public places in which smoking should be prohibited on bases, many soldiers have contacted the organization and complained that the ban was not being actively enforced.
Meanwhile, a bill to ban smoking in public places on army bases was approved for a first hearing by the Knesset Social Affairs Committee Monday.
Yael Branovsky contributed to the report
