Banning smoking in Lebanon

The law banning smoking in all public areas came into effect Beirut - Agencies The law banning smoking in all public areas in Lebanon came into effect Monday, in accordance with Law 174, which passed exactly one year ago. The ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and cafes is the final stage of the law that also saw the banning of smoking in all public buildings, government offices, hospitals and institutions of education, and on public transport, the Daily Star Lebanon reported today. Meanwhile, protestors, including pub and restaurants owners, held up banners with slogans in objection and called for amending the law as they perceive it would affect the tourism in Lebanon. A minimum fine of $90, around LL135,000, for non-compliance with the new smoke-free regulations will be applied to both the owners and the smokers themselves. Smoking rates in Lebanon are among the highest in the world, with 42 percent of men and 27 percent of adult women smoking.