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China Bans Lunchtime Drinking for Air Force

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Published: 12 Aug 08:13 EDT (12:13 GMT)

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BEIJING - China has banned its air force pilots from drinking alcohol at lunchtime to help the service's image, state media reported Aug. 12.

Air force officers and other personnel could be dismissed, demoted or handed demerits for drinking alcohol at lunchtime under new rules that took effect this week, the Beijing News newspaper reported.

The move is the first time the air force has ordered its staff to stay away from alcohol, the newspaper said.

Officers would be dismissed if caught driving after drinking and airmen would be demoted, the Xinhua news agency reported, adding they would also automatically lose their driving licenses.

Digital breathalyzers were being installed in sentries and posts at parking lots to enforce the rules, Xinhua cited an unnamed military source as saying.