Saudi Arabia bans smoking and shisha in outlets

Saudi Arabia has banned smoking in restaurants, coffee shops, supermarkets and shopping malls, as well as government offices and most public spaces.

According to Associated Press, the ban includes smoking of water-pipes, or shishas, and prohibits selling tobacco to those under the age of 18.

The official SPA news agency said Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz ordered that a royal ban on smoking be implemented as of Monday.

He is cited as saying that Islam urges the preservation of public health, said the Associated Press report.

The ban is a significant step-up in the kingdom's anti-smoking campaign, which banned smoking in airports last year.