Health facilities in Egypt are smoke-free 2023
Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, has permanently outlawed smoking “in all its forms” at all curative, preventative, and rehabilitative health facilities. This regulation protects residents from smoking-related health problems.
According to Ministry of Health and Population spokeswoman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the minister’s decree also bans smoking in ministry premises and related entities and agencies.
“Each facility director must prevent smoking. In case of violation, the director will be fined EGP 1,000–20,000 and the smoker EGP 50–100.
Egypt’s Health Ministry prohibits smoking in hospitals.
Abdel Ghaffar stated that the minister’s decision implements Law No. 154 of 2007, amended by some provisions of Law No. 52 of 1982, to prevent smoking harms, including a complete ban on smoking in health and educational facilities, governmental bodies, sports and social clubs, and youth centers.
“A supreme committee for tobacco control shall be formed, by a decision of the Prime Minister, headed by the Minister of Health and with the membership of concerned ministers and representatives of civil society institutions,” the legislation states. The Health Minister will present the committee’s findings in cabinet to take action.”
According to related laws, a specialized department in the Ministry of Health shall be established and its members shall have the capacity of judicial officers in implementing smoking harms laws by a decision of the Minister of Justice, in agreement with the Minister of Health.
