A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) story this weekend revealed more details on a far-reaching smoking ban in Alexandria, Egypt.
The Arab World's largest consumer of tobacco is hoping to transform the northern Mediterranean city into the region's first smoke-free zone. If successful, this ban will be extended to the rest of the country.
For starters, Egyptian authorities will impose a smoking ban in government buildings, where a 2007 law banning smoking in government buildings, hospitals and schools has largely been ignored. To demonstrate its seriousness, the government raised the cigarette tax as much as 40 percent last month.
Within two years, the ban will extend to coffee shops. Inspectors will be deployed around Alexandria to monitor its effectiveness, and a telephone hotline will be available to report violations. If successful, the ban to be extended to the rest of the country within five years.
Individuals who violate the smoking ban will face fines starting at around $10, and organizations will face much tougher sanctions. However, smokers will have a three-month grace period before full implementation begins.
Famous for its Greek and Roman ruins as well as for its ancient library, Alexandria was targeted because polls showed that a majority of its residents support a smoke-free city.
"Smoking in Egypt is very common, unfortunately. Out of every 10 men, four smoke and more and more women are smoking now," explained Dr Hassan Salam of the University of Alexandria, whose research lies behind the initiative. "They hope new restrictions will at least make them [the people of Alexandria] cut back--and that Alexandria can set an example for the rest of the country."
According to the BBC, Egyptians consume more than 19 billion cigarettes a year, not to mention the vast amounts of tobacco inhaled through hookah water pipes.
The main Egyptian English-language newspaper Al Masry Al Youm, however, failed to cover these developments, yet its online version did showcase the launch of a cancer-support group called Cansurvive.
If Alexandrians show their seriousness and reduce the "smoke on the water" at Egypt's premier seaside resort, then they will show the rest of Egypt their determination to end an expensive national vice and reduce extraordinarily high rates of related cancers.
Comments
Wondering if the ban will also severely restrict the sheesha pipes? Cigarette smoking in buildings and all I can see but NO sheesha in Musr-can't imagine-wouldn't be the same!
I had the same question as Ninu - it would also seem a very different experience and risk factor for lung cancer.
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