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Intro: Syria began on Wednesday implementing a smoke ban in enclosed public places including restaurants, coffee shops and internet cafes.
Mixed feelings greeted the decree, which has been a law since late 2009 but without any measure to enforce it. Not all establishments were compliant on the first day of the smoke ban.
“We’re expecting to receive the formal directive from the authorities in the next day or two,” said Doris Kallab, manager at Gemini Group, which owns several restaurants throughout Syria.
“Once we receive it, our team of managers will go out to our outlets and ensure compliance.”
According to the ruling, violators can be fined up to $800 per incident.
Syria has one of the better records in the region for implementing anti-tobacco policy recommended by the World Health Organisation. This includes a total ban on advertising tobacco in local media and billboards, whereas neighbouring Lebanon still allows such advertisement.
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