If Danish army recruits want to smoke a cigarette, their commanders humiliate them while they do so, reports Metroexpress.
Some have been told to climb trees or stand on one leg, while others have been forced to stand in a puddle or lie down with their knees over their head.
Unacceptable says Danish Defence
A spokesperson for Danish Defence has called the practice "unacceptable".
"During our last inspection, we discovered a number of incidents in several barracks where smokers were mistreated," confirmed Andreas Søndergaard Holt from Danish Defence to the newspaper.
In some cases, the smokers were required to move 500 metres away to enjoy a smoking break they were allocated five minutes for.
Contravenes army law
The rituals contravene an anti-mobbing law introduced ten years ago after several ludicrous initiations were reported involving vomit and urine. Some of them made their way onto video thanks to troops at the Grønnedal barracks in Greenland.
According to the National Service Board, the Defence Personnel Service has stressed that recruits who smoke should have the same rights as everyone else in the army.
"This is not how you behave in a modern company – it is simply unacceptable," Colonel Peter Wass told Metroexpress.
"We prefer, of course, that people don't smoke. But if they do, they should be treated properly."
