SYRIA: Country becomes first Arab nation to impose public smoking ban

Record ID: 279145

  • Title: SYRIA: Country becomes first Arab nation to impose public smoking ban
  • Date: 27th April 2010
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (APRIL 24, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH ORGANISATION, AFFILIATED TO THE RULING BAATH PARTY IN SYRIA, DURING THE RALLY TWO GIRLS HOLDING POSTER CLOSE OF POSTER READING IN ARABIC: "THE REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH MARATHON FOR YOUR HEALTH. A PERMANENT YOUTH AWAY FROM SMOKING AND DRUGS" VARIOUS OF HAND-DRAWN POSTERS AGAINST SMOKING BO
  • Embargoed: 12th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAV6YM0LK3N7A4Z0G74ZPC6DWN
  • Story Text: Syria becomes the first Arab nation to enforce the smoking ban and as of April 21, 2010 smoking is no longer allowed in government offices and other public places, unless otherwise specified.
    Supporters of the new decision took to the streets to express their solidarity with laws that are aimed at preserving public health, particularly as a large majority of the population are smokers and many of the rest therefore, passive smokers.
    Wissal Kaddah, Head of the Development office in the Revolutionary Youth Organisation, affiliated to the ruling Baath Party in Syria told Reuters of their hope for a smoke and drug-free mentality amongst Syria's youth.
    "We, as a youth, we hope that every citizen- not only young but also children and elders- stay away from smoking and drugs under the slogan of permanent youthfulness so we can care to have a healthy and strong population," she said.
    The ban has already had a significant impact on restaurants and cafes where the majority of the customers smoke the Nargileh (water pipe). Restaurant owners are already complaining that business has taken a hit due to the ban, particularly in the Damascus's Old City where smoking is an inherent part of lunch or dinner for most.
    Haytham Rankoussi, the owner of a restaurant in the old city says he had to fire most of his workers due to the decrease in intake-- where once he employed 40 members of staff, now he only employs five. Rankoussi made it clear that his business is truly suffering due to the ban.
    "The decision is very good but concerning the covered restaurants, just give us an opportunity to work, which would be better than stopping business. Just give us permission for a smoking section and another one for non-smoking. There would be no problem that way, but this has led to a total halt in business," he said.
    Rankoussi also said he is thinking of closing down his restaurant as it does not have the correct ventilation to allow for a smoking section. The law permits smoking in places that are adequately ventilated. It is now those sections of restaurants and cafes that are the most populated leaving the non-smoking areas practically deserted.
    According to the Syrian Society for Countering Cancer, 23 percent of women and 60 percent of men are smokers in Syria and 98 percent are affected by passive smoking.
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