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BANGKOK - SMOKERS in Thailand will soon be banned from lighting up in nightclubs, pubs, and open-air markets, the Public Health Ministry said on Friday.
The new ban, scheduled to take effect Feb 17, will apply to all air-conditioned entertainment venues, toughening earlier restrictions that affected only air-conditioned restaurants, said Mr Hatai Chitanond of the ministry's Health Promotion Institute.
Outdoor restaurants will be required to set up nonsmoking areas.
Fines of 2,000 baht (S$97.20) will be imposed.
'We expect some resistance from operators of nightclubs and pubs. They may fear it would hurt their business but it will be better for the health of their workers and their customers,' Mr Hatai said. -- AP
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