Stricter Laws on Cigarette Machines and Ads

Smoking is set to be banned at the Western Wall and other communal spots in Israel after the country's legislators approved new rules on lighting up in public. The legislation, which includes stricter rules on cigarette machines and advertising, as well as a ban on smoking at bus and train stations, was backed by the Knesset health committee. The new rules mean that after a 30 - day window Israelis will be unable to smoke in public places including concert venues, swimming pools and near hospital entrances, while smokers will be designated no more than 25 per cent of the room in bars and restaurants.

Public Smoking Laws, Secondhand Smoke

Drive by any downtown restaurant or bar on a busy night, and you'll see a group of customers near the entrance smoking. Stop into a pharmacy to pick up some cold medicine and you might see someone buying a pack of cigarettes. Go to an event in a private club and people sitting at the next table might be lighting up. Those scenarios would end if the city's Health Board adopts new public rules proposed for Haverhill. The board is considering regulations aimed at protecting the public from second-hand cigarette smoke by limiting where people can light up. Health Board member Peter Carbone said the new regulations are a work in progress and he expects changes once the board begins to gather public input and holds public hearings. He said the board announced its plans to stiffen smoking rules at its March meeting and will discuss a draft of the proposed new regulations May 8.