• March 29, 2024

Smokers have their wings clipped

The South Korean Air Force has decided to disqualify smokers from applying for its pilot selection test, according to a story in the Yonhap News Agency.

Starting next month, applicants who test positive for nicotine will not be eligible for flight training.

And to force pilots who smoke to quit the habit, the military authorities plan to suspend those who test positive for nicotine during their regular check-ups.

The decision to disqualify smokers is said to be aimed at selecting pilots who have ‘a strong willingness to maintain a sound body,’ unnamed Air Force officers were quoted as saying.

The Air Force has been pushing to implement a number of non-smoking measures, including the designation of all military bases and barracks non-smoking zones from July 1.

This move at least has drawn fire for possibly violating the rights of service people and the Air Force has changed its course so as to allow smoking rooms to be set up at least 50 meters away from barracks.