Kuwait Bans Smoking In Public

Kuwait on Monday banned “all forms of smoking” in most public places, including cafes, restaurants, hotels and malls.


Commerce and Industry Minister Amani Buresli ordered cafes, hotels and restaurants to allocate well-isolated places for smokers.


Finance and Health Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali also banned smoking in shopping malls, schools, universities, hospitals, airports, government offices and many other places.


The smoking of shishas, or water pipes, very popular in Kuwait’s cafes, was included in the ban.
Smoking is also banned at social and cultural functions, sports and entertainment events, seminars and at ministries. It is also banned in all public transport utilities (land, sea and air), at airports, seaports and all markets, commercial complexes, cooperative societies and supermarkets.


The decision will come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.


The decision covers all areas mentioned in ministerial decree No. 23/ 2012 issued by Minister of Health and Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali’s decision that amended Article II of ministerial decree No. 223/ 1995.