Burma's military government has passed a new law which bans smoking in public places and prohibits the sale of tobacco products near schools.
The official state newspaper Friday published details of the new law which prohibits smoking in hospitals, sporting venues, department stores and all other buildings with public access.
It allows for smoking only in designated private rooms as prescribed by the ministry of health. The law also prohibits selling tobacco within 100 meters of any school and the advertising of tobacco products in any medium.
Offenses are punishable by fines and jail terms of up to two years. The law also creates a Central Board of the Control of Smoking, responsible for implementing and enforcing the new regulations.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.
