Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, has permanently banned smoking “in all its forms” at all health facilities that provide curative, preventive, or rehabilitative services. This measure aims to preserve the health and safety of citizens from the health risks associated with smoking.
Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, explained that the minister’s decision also includes a ban on smoking in the facilities of the ministry and its affiliated bodies and agencies.
“The director responsible for each facility is obligated to take the necessary measures to prevent smoking in them. In case of violating this decision, the director will be punished according to what the law stipulates, a fine of not less than EGP 1,000 and not more than EGP 20,000, and the smoker shall be punished with a fine of not less than EGP 50 and not more than EGP 100.”
Abdel Ghaffar indicated that the minister’s decision comes to implement the provisions of Law No. 154 of 2007, amended by some provisions of Law No. 52 of 1982 regarding the prevention of smoking harms, which includes a final ban on smoking in all its forms in health and educational facilities, governmental bodies, sports and social clubs, and youth centres.
He added that the law stipulates that “a supreme committee for tobacco control shall be formed, by a decision of the Prime Minister, headed by the Minister of Health and with the membership of concerned ministers and representatives of civil society institutions. The Health Minister shall present the outcomes of the committee in the cabinet meeting to take the necessary action.”
According to the related laws, a specialized department in the Ministry of Health shall be established and its members, by a decision of the Minister of Justice, in agreement with the Minister of Health, shall have the capacity of judicial officers in implementing laws related to combating smoking harms.
