Lebanon: Kataeb MPs Propose Amendments to Smoking Ban Law

Source from:  Now Lebanon (lb)  09/20/2012

Kataeb bloc MPs Samer Saadeh and Nadim Gemayel on Monday submitted a draft law to Lebanon's parliament to amend a smoking ban law and organize tobacco production, the National News Agency reported. Among the suggestions made by the lawmakers was adding a paragraph to Article 5 of the law stipulating that the regulations exclude "all spaces allocated for smoking narghile and cigars" that had been licensed by the relevant authorities. A smoking ban in all closed public spaces, including coffee shops, restaurants and bars, went into force in Lebanon on September 3 under new legislation that promises hefty fines for offenders. Some Lebanese restaurant owners held a protest to voice their objection on the smoking ban law. The number of smokers in Lebanon is among the highest in the region and cancer-related illnesses directly linked to tobacco are rising at a rapid rate, health professionals say. Enditem