[Al Arabiya Latest] A much tougher anti-smoking law in Syria, signed by President Bashar al-Assad and due to come into force in early 2010, will outlaw smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars, hospitals, sports halls and cinemas. The law covers cigarettes and cigars, as well as traditional 'shisha' water pipes.
"The ban is timely," said Mahmoud Etah, a Syrian doctor. "Smoking, especially of water pipes, has become more prevalent among young people and we are yet to see the full health effects."