Egypt is attempting to ban smoking in public places.
The country is the biggest consumer of cigarettes in the Arab world, consuming 19 billion per year.
Alexandria is to be the first city, beginning with a ban on smoking in government buildings. The BBC reports an existing law, which is widely flouted, is to be enforced.
It is intended the ban will be extended to include cafes within two years so Alexandria can set an example for the rest of the country.
