The Health Ministry is reportedly planning to significantly soften a blanket smoking ban introduced in September following “tremendous pressure” from bar and restaurant owners who claim the changes, together with the impact of the economic crisis, are ruining them. According to sources, the ministry is considering permitting smoking in cafes and bars after 9 p.m. while keeping the blanket ban in place for restaurants. Cafes and bars that dec ... Jump to full article >>

Since 2007 law, pub smoking down 70% in Jerusalem, 10% in Tel Aviv. Although smoking in entertainment and other public places is illegal, the level of dangerous particulate matter from tobacco smoke in Tel Aviv pubs and bars is five times higher than recommended and endangers the health of both customers and employees. This was discovered by Dr. Leah Rosen of ’s health promotion department and is to be published on Friday in the European Journ ... Jump to full article >>

In this age of respect and understanding, I do not know why some establishments and coffee shops still flout the law regarding a smoking ban in public places. The other day, I had to visit Almoayyad Tower in Seef. I wanted to have a coffee on the ground floor by the entrance facing HSBC bank. The place was full of people smoking. When I asked why there isn’t a separate area as declared by the Health Ministry, I was told that the smoking ar ... Jump to full article >>

AFP – Growing stress from the economic slump led South Koreans to smoke and drink more last year, a news report said Monday, quoting a health ministry survey. The survey found 47.7 percent of male adults and 7.4 percent of female adults smoking last year, up from 45 and 5.3 percent respectively a year earlier. Some 74.6 percent of males and 44.9 percent of females drank twice or more a month last year, up from 73.5 and 41.5 percent a year ... Jump to full article >>