Egypt bans smoking in health, educational and governmental facilities

CAIRO – 8 November 2021:  Egypt’s Prime Minster Moustafa Madbouly directed, Monday banning smoking in sports clubs, all health, educational and governmental facilities along with any other buildings the ministry of health decides.

According to the Prime Minster decision, all managers and directors in these places are obligated to ensure this decision is applied.

Mangers who fail to implement the smoking rules are to be fined no less than LE1000 and not more than LE 20,000. As the smokers themselves to be fined of no less LE50 and not more than LE100.

Last July, The Eastern Company announced an increase in the prices of its products, to be implemented as of July 14.

The company stated in a statement that the price of Cleopatra Black will be increased to LE 24, Mondial (red - blue - silver) to LE 21, and Mondial Switch (Menthol / Blueberry) to LE 24.

It added that it was also decided to increase the price of "Box 10" to LE 11, Boston / Belmont to LE 18.5, Cleopatra King Size to LE 17.5, Cleopatra Soft Queen to LE 18, Cleopatra Box (white / colors) to LE 19, and Super to LE 20.

The company stressed that the increase is in accordance with the provisions of the value-added tax and its amendments, and the Comprehensive Health Insurance Law No. 2 of 2018.

During the first nine months of the 2020/2021, the Eastern Company achieved profits of LE 3.88 billion, compared to profits of LE 3.13 billion in the comparable period of 2019/2020.

The company's revenues rose during the period to LE 12.14 billion, compared to revenues of LE 11.36 billion in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.

In May 2017, The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) stated that almost 12.6 million Egyptians are smokers, making up 20.2 percent of the total population.

At least 38.5 percent of Egyptian males smoke, compared to 1.5 percent among females, the statement read, relying on 2016 statistics.