August 17, 2011
Today, the Lebanese Parliament endorsed a law that bans smoking in public or closed spaces. After years of debate on whether this law should be implemented, it has finally become a reality. Non-smokers have been overjoyed today with the news filling up the social timelines with their expressions of approval.
The law also bans any sort of tobacco advertising and promotions and considers them as an illegal act. These include all sorts of advertising media such as billboards, magazine ads, and TV commercials. The law also prevents any tobacco companies from sponsoring events and concerts.
In addition to that, all tobacco packs should now depict a pictorial warning of the dangers of smoking that should cover at least 40% of the package.
Fines will be imposed on citizens who are caught smoking in public or individuals who violate the smoking ban. Hotels, however, will be able to assign 10-20% of their rooms to smokers. Companies will be expected to start implementing the law very shortly.
Even though I am a non-smoker and prefer non-smoking areas over smoking ones, I believe that this law will be unfair to some companies, especially cafes whose major profits come from selling the traditional Narjileh (Arguileh, Hookah, Hubble Bubble, etc..) and will put many employees out of jobs. I really hope there will be a clause that exempts cafes from the smoking ban or at least give them special licenses to keep selling this service.
UPDATE: Unconfirmed sources: Implementation will start immediately in government buildings and for other public places a year from the law's approval.
What do you think about this ban?
Smoking banned in public places in Lebanon
Today, the Lebanese Parliament endorsed a law that bans smoking in public or closed spaces. After years of debate on whether this law should be implemented, it has finally become …
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| photo source |
The law also bans any sort of tobacco advertising and promotions and considers them as an illegal act. These include all sorts of advertising media such as billboards, magazine ads, and TV commercials. The law also prevents any tobacco companies from sponsoring events and concerts.
In addition to that, all tobacco packs should now depict a pictorial warning of the dangers of smoking that should cover at least 40% of the package.
Fines will be imposed on citizens who are caught smoking in public or individuals who violate the smoking ban. Hotels, however, will be able to assign 10-20% of their rooms to smokers. Companies will be expected to start implementing the law very shortly.
Even though I am a non-smoker and prefer non-smoking areas over smoking ones, I believe that this law will be unfair to some companies, especially cafes whose major profits come from selling the traditional Narjileh (Arguileh, Hookah, Hubble Bubble, etc..) and will put many employees out of jobs. I really hope there will be a clause that exempts cafes from the smoking ban or at least give them special licenses to keep selling this service.
UPDATE: Unconfirmed sources: Implementation will start immediately in government buildings and for other public places a year from the law's approval.
What do you think about this ban?
ban
Beirut
cafeteria
