• Tougher anti-smoking campaign bearing fruit 

With the Ministry of Health intensifying its campaign against smoking, more people have been punished for violating the provisions of Law No 20 of 2002, which bans smoking in public places and regulates the import and sale of tobacco and its derivatives.

In January this year alone, fines amounting to QR35, 500 were imposed for various types of violations by the ministry's inspectors, many of whom have been given judicial powers. This represents a sharp increase from 2008, when fines to the tune of QR196,700 were imposed during the whole year.

Dr Ali Arab Ataullah of the anti-smoking unit at the ministry said the multi-faceted campaign against smoking had started delivering results.

The number of smokers in the country is estimated to be about 37 percent of the total population, including nationals and expatriates.

"There is an increased awareness about the hazards of smoking and there are indications the habit is declining in the country," Ataullah told

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