Afghanistan's Health Ministry has announced new restrictions that prohibit smoking in offices, hospitals, airports, and other public areas.
Deputy Health Minister Nadera Hayat Burhani told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that the measure is part of an official antismoking campaign and includes new penalties for those caught lighting up in no-smoking areas.
Smoking is thought to claim the lives of thousands of Afghans every year.
Gallup pollsters in 2007 placed Afghans among the world's least frequent smokers, with around 9 percent of respondents saying they'd smoked during the past day compared to figures nearing 40 percent in places like Cuba and Russia.
-- Andy Heil
Deputy Health Minister Nadera Hayat Burhani told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that the measure is part of an official antismoking campaign and includes new penalties for those caught lighting up in no-smoking areas.
Smoking is thought to claim the lives of thousands of Afghans every year.
Gallup pollsters in 2007 placed Afghans among the world's least frequent smokers, with around 9 percent of respondents saying they'd smoked during the past day compared to figures nearing 40 percent in places like Cuba and Russia.
-- Andy Heil