Inspectors catch 14,000 flouting Bahrain smoking ban

Bahrain Ministry of Health inspectors have caught more than 14,000 people smoking in public areas since the kingdom’s smoking ban came into effect last year.

According to official figures 72 offenders were women and 2,060 were under the age of 18, according to a report in the Gulf Daily News.

The ministry said it has stepped up its anti-smoking campaign and has carried out a series of surprise inspections on public areas to ensure the ban is being followed.

"The purpose was to ensure that closed public facilities and other amenities followed the articles of the anti-smoking law," said Health Ministry public health acting director Mariam Janahi told the paper.

"We have organised the surprise visits to also catch the offenders and take the necessary legal procedures against them."

Bahrain’s smoking ban forbids smoking in public buildings, hospitals, schools and universities as well as shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. Private cars carrying children are also included in the ban, the paper said.

Smokers can be fined between BD20-BD50 if caught breaking the law.