Samoa's Ministry of Health has supported the decision by the government's Shipping Corporation to ban smoking on board ferries serving Upolu and Savaii islands.
The ban also applies to the corporation's ferry service between Apia and Pago Pago in American Samoa.
The Samoan cabinet approved the ban which will come into force in early March.
The chief executive officer of the Health Service, Dr Stanley Dean, says a proposed law to be tabled in parliament some time this year will enforce the ban on smoking in public places such as restaurants and bars, and public transport.
A statement from the government says the proposed ban by the shipping corporation is an effort to help control tobacco smoking in public places and to promote the health of the general public.
