Syrian anti-smoking day

A celebration was held on September 9 in Syria on the occasion of the National Day for Combating Smoking. It commemorates the day when President Assad issued Presidential decree No. 13 of 1996, providing for the prohibition of all kinds of tobacco advertisement.

To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Committee on Combating Smoking on September 9 held a celebration at Damascus hospital.

Citizens expressed their response to and appreciation of the decree and the ministries, establishments, people's organisations, the vocational unions and the private and public sectors adopted a number of measures and decisions for combating prohibiting smoking.

Some have applauded the effort, even if symbolicly , as increasing awarness about the ill-effect of tobaco smoking.