Starting in November of this year, cigarettes and other tobacco products will disappear from the shelves of shops in the 55 military barracks across Israel, another step in the battle against smoking in the army. Sixty-five shops will be affected by the directive.

T his is one of the more decisive steps Israel’s Ministry of Defense has taken in its efforts to curb this rampant health risk, which is affecting all soldiers through passive smoking. Additionally, the number of smoking areas in the barracks is due to be reduced, and new guidelines for those who smoke outside of those areas are to be defined. Commanders won’t be permitted to smoke in front of those under their command, and there will be entries in medical documents stating whether a particular soldier is a smoker or not, Brig.-Gen. Meirav Kirshner, chairwoman and chief of staff for the Personnel Department of the IDF, stated. These medical notes will not at present have any bearing on a soldier’s assignment or rank. In tandem with the new restrictions, the army is establishing programs to help soldiers...