Saudi Arabia Bans Smoking In Most Public Places

[onehandle]

Source: AP

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has banned smoking in government offices and most public places, including restaurants, coffee shops, supermarkets and shopping malls.

The ban includes smoking of water-pipes, or shishas, and prohibits selling tobacco to those under the age of 18.

The official SPA news agency says Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz has ordered that a royal ban on smoking be implemented as of Monday. He is cited as saying that Islam urges the preservation of public health.

The ban is a significant step-up in the kingdom's anti-smoking campaign. Saudi Arabia banned smoking in its airports last year.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/saudi-arabia-smoking-ban_n_1718619.html

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Catching up with much of Europe while the U.S. regresses in many ways.

[robinlynne]

1. ahhgreat. now I can't go to Saudi Arabia.

[brooklynite]

2. A smoking ban in the Middle East?

If that doesn't bring down the Government, nothing will...

[harmonicon]

3. Oh, yes, IF ONLY the US was more like Saudi Arabia. One can only dream. (nt)

[Zoeisright]

4. Good for them!

It's too bad it took the US so long to do that.

[jerseyjack]

5. Commie Bastards, stifiling free enterprise.