Ministry says smoking ban applies to lobbies and stairways

 

The anti-smoking law due to take effect from January 2 could also apply to smoking in hallways, staircases and lobbies of residential buildings. The law is a stricter version of the current ban that still allows smoking in many bars and restaurants depending on their size, and it specifies that besides these public areas, tobacco will not be allowed "in all other enclosed spaces of public or collective use."

An internal Health Ministry document dictates that the ban also applies to communal areas of buildings used for residential purposes. The ban would also extend to any swimming pool, community center and play areas that are not open-air.