Authorities in tobacco-mad Egypt have begun slapping on-the-spot fines on people caught smoking at Cairo airport, the official MENA news agency reported on Tuesday.
It said that 100 people -- including passengers and airport workers -- had been fined between 50 and 100 Egyptian pounds (nine to 18 dollars, or six to 12 euros) since the campaign began three days ago.Although smoking is already banned at Egyptian airports, hospitals and schools and in some other public places "No Smoking" signs are largely ignored.
Almost half of all Egyptian men smoke, consuming an estimated daily total of 20 million cigarettes.
The average cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes is between two and seven Egyptian pounds, depending on whether the brand is local or international.
A report last year said Egyptians spend an average of 2.5 percent of household income on tobacco -- more than on health and leisure.
Source-AFP
LIN/P
