Egypt introduces smoking ban

Cairo, 10 June-(ANA)-Egypt, the biggest Arab consumer of cigarettes, is beginning an attempt to ban smoking in public places.

Alexandria is to be Egypt's first no smoking city, beginning with a ban on lighting up in government buildings.

Egyptians smoke some 19 billion cigarettes each year, prompting concerns for public health.

And Egypt is a nation of smokers with traditional shisha water pipes found in many coffee shops, and persuading Egyptians to quit will be a challenge.

It is common to find people puffing at cigarettes on the train, in office, even in hospitals.(ANA)

FA/ANA/10 June 2010-------