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• Nicotine-Loving Iraqis Deride Smoking-Ban Plan  

This is a country of frazzled nerves and nicotine, where deals are struck and conspiracy theories hatched in the smokiest of rooms.

So why in the world, Iraqis demanded Thursday, would the government introduce a plan to ban smoking in public places?

Smoking is widespread in the region, and few countries have taken steps toward a ban. Jordan and Israel prohibit smoking in public places, and Qatar has a ban on indoor smoking in public places, though it is loosely enforced.

But a bill being presented to the Iraqi parliament by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's cabinet would rewrite rules in a way that many Iraqis who were interviewed described as inconceivable, by banning smoking in government buildings and public indoor areas.

"We have no electricity, no jobs, people still get killed," said Waleed Habba, 49, as he bought a pack of cigarettes at a tobacco store in downtown Baghdad. "We all have to deal with anger issues here. That's the reason people smoke here, to run away from that."

"We want Saddam back," said Ala al-Kanini, a patron at the store, referring to the late Iraqi leader. "You could do anything during Saddam's time."

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We want Saddam back. You could do anything during Saddam's time.
Tobacco store patron Ala al-Kanini, on Iraq's proposed smoking ban.