Syrıa Smokıng Ban

epa02126403 An almost empty cafe in Damascus, Syria, after a law banning smoking in all public places has gone into effect on 21 April  2010. 'No smoking' sings are seen in the cafe. The law had been approved by Syrian President Bashar Assad six months before. Smoking tobacco in any form - cigarettes, cigars, water pipe or pipes - would be punishable by fines that range from USD 43 to USD 680, in addition to imprisonment terms ranging between three months to one year. There are three million smokers in Syria.  EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI