[Law174] It is Okay, But we need more Laws .. Don't we ?!

Few hours separate us from lunching the new Law prohibiting smoking in closed public spaces in Lebanon. This compaign was organized by IndyACT, Tobacco Free Initiative - TFI and in collaboration with AUB -Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Smoking ban will be implemented in many public places including but not limited to: governmental buildings, schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, workplaces, banks, private businesses, malls, airport and public transport & the hospitality sector : Restaurants, Cafes, Hotels (20% of total number of rooms can be used by smokers), Bars, Clubs, theaters.

Ban selling and serving tobacco products to underage youth such as cigarettes, electronics cigarettes and hooka pipe etc… [as if it was allowed to buy and sell tobacco products for people under 18 !  #WhoCares]

The inclusion of a "No Smoking" sign:
Smoke free signs with specific specifications are to be included in highly visible locations in rooms, entrances, receptions, cafeterias, bathrooms as well as public transportation [Sure, It is easy also to include a Non-Smoking sign in your living room #NotaBigDeal]

Promotions and Advertising logos, brands and trademarks of Tobacco Products [TV/Radio, Internet, Media, ...], not to forget sponsorship ban (a complete ban on any forms of sponsorship by tobacco industries such as: cultural, sports and business events etc…). And then, we start a new war against people working in the Tobacco Industries #BroadenYourThinking

Health warning to cover 40% of tobacco packaging:
A health warning should cover 40% of both sides of cigarette packs and packaging. This also applies to all locally or imported tobacco products. Ban of all tobacco products with misleading messages (a year after bylaws) 
The removal of products from the market which include misleading messages such as: light, super light, mild, color coded etc… 

At the end, I think nobody is against any project that will improve national health system. However, many things could have been done in the past without the need of creating a new law. Also, we could have created new laws related to Drugs, Guns, Sexual abuse, Criminal Acts, Right of workers... and other laws [we really need] and that should enhance the life of every Lebanese citizen !

For more information, check out the following...

Tobacco Free Initiative

AUB Tobacco Control Research Group