Ban on Smoking in Public in Syria – a Shock for Hookah
Published on April 26, 2010 8:20 AM
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Syria has been considered a paradise for smokers for quite a long time, but now, this image is likely to be left in the history. Though it is still unclear how vigorously it will be enforced and how long it will last, however, from April 21st, smoking is banned in all public places under a law signed by Syria president Bashar al-Assad.
The legislation prohibits lighting up in all restaurants and bars, hospitals, sport and educational facilities, workplaces and cinemas.
The decree will only exempt restaurants and cafes that have separate outdoor venues or designated and separately-ventilated indoor spaces. Such places will permit smoking.
The lawmakers wanted to adopt an anti-smoking legislation in Syria similar to that of the majority of European and Arab nations. Syria already has legislation controlling smoking, manufacture and marketing of tobacco products implemented several years ago. In 1996 Syrian government prohibited advertisements of tobacco products, and in 2006 smoking in public buildings and transport was banned.
The laws were frequently violated, encouraging the lawmakers to adopt tougher policies.
According to the latest law, the owners of public venues such as restaurants, cafes and hotels, violating the rules will face a fine of nearly 40,000 Syrian pounds (nearly $900) for each offense, whereas the legislation also levies fines of 2,000 Syrian pounds ($46) on the smoker who was caught lighting up in prohibited places.
The legislation triggered a real shock among the Syrian population, as approximately five million Syrians are burning nearly 10 million cigs every day, lighting them up wherever they wanted to.
So, for a nation so addicted to smoking, as Syria, it is almost impossible to figure out how to live without having a smoke. Smoking is everywhere in Syria, even in soap operas and TV series, which are shown in all Arab countries, police agents are used to smoke to find a way of solving a crime, and authorities can’t decide on difficult issues without smoking a pack of favorite cigs.
The majority of local smokers find the new measures as illegal and they believe they will keep smoking anyway. “We are used to sitting here, sipping drinks and smoking,” complained Ali, a 41-year-od patron of Aroma Cafe. The no-smoking signs have been placed on the entrance door of the place.
He said that the decree is illegal and unacceptable, and violating their rights.
Rida Said, Syria’s Health Minister has praised the decree as a vital step in the fight against smoking, mentioning that the measure has given involved parties six months to fulfill the necessary processes.
According to statistics, more than 60 percent of adult male population and 25 percent of female population consumes tobacco. Among them, 20 percent of male smokers and 6 percent of female smokers prefer hookah, very popular among local teenagers and tourists.
Saadalla Agha al-Qalaa, Head of Syrian Tourism Ministry, stated the hotels will provide smokers with a possibility to book a smoking room, as 30% of hotel rooms will be specially designated for smokers.
