Activists Urge Lebanon to Fully Enforce Smoking Ban

Source from:  Beirut Daily Star (lb)  12/19/2012

A small group of activists urged Tuesday the Lebanese state to effectively implement a smoking ban endorsed by the Cabinet on Sep. 3, claiming that the ban is being flouted in some instances.

"You should be up to it. Apply the smoking ban," a huge banner raised by activists outside the Health Ministry's headquarters in Beirut read.

 

"People have had enough," Ali Fakhry, spokesperson for the Indyact organization, said.
 
"Lebanese citizens and civil society are fed up with those disrespecting the smoking ban," he said.
 
As the group of 10 activists held a sit-in outside the government building, ministers of relevant sectors held a meeting to reconsider the smoking ban that was adopted three months ago by the Cabinet.
 
The protesters said that Law 174, which forbids smoking in public places, should be effectively applied in all closed areas.
 
The law, which many in the health sector see as necessary, frustrates those in the hospitality industry.
 
Restaurants and pub owners argue that they have incurred heavy losses as a result of the measures and have urged the government to amend the law. Enditem