Restaurant Owners decided to close Antelias’ restaurants today
in protest of the smoking ban law that went into force today Monday September
3,2012, calling on all restaurants to follow on their footsteps.
The anti-tobacco legislation
prohibits smoking in all enclosed bars, restaurant and cafes in Lebanon in
accordance with Law 174, which was passed one year ago.
In a press conference,
restaurant owner Toni al-Sanyour said that a statement will be issued at 6 pm
today to determine future steps, stressing that the sit-in is open ended and
will move from one place to another.
Al-Sanyour called for amending
the law for it to exclude nargileh cafes and nightlife.
Earlier in the morning, Restaurant
Owners rallied in Antelias in protest of this law, raising banners reading “Have
mercy on tourism”.
Al-Sanyour called via LBCI
for granting grace periods before fining restaurants, adding that that
thousands of employees could be let go if this law goes into effect.
In this regard, security forces met with the protestors to convince them not to take escalatory steps.
For his part, Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud wondered why restaurant
owners waited that long to protest, adding that meetings were held with all the
concerned parties mainly the tourism syndicates.
Abboud told
Nharkom Said on Monday that only
the Parliament can amend the law, adding that he is ready to cooperate with the
restaurant owners.
“The executive power is bound to implement
the law and if it halts the fines, it would be violating the law”, he said.
Later in the day, LBCI reporter visited some trade centers and restaurants in Beirut and
noticed that most of the smokers are following the new non-smoking
rules, as restaurants owners await the law's amendment.