ON January 13, the GDN reported the planned smoking restrictions in restaurants, stating that they would be given six months to set up designated smoking areas.

The Health Ministry public health and primary care assistant under-secretary Dr Mariam Al Jalahma was quoted as saying: "Many of the 6,569 restaurants have already started implementing the directive, while others had done so with little regard for the spirit of the rule."

She said the new rule also stipulated that children would not be allowed into smoking areas, even if they were accompanied by an adult.

She went on to say, "The smoking area in any place will also not exceed 50 per cent of the total area of the restaurant and it has to be properly sealed with automatic doors and exhaust facilities."

The six months' notice expires next month and I see absolutely nothing being done in any of the restaurants I visit.

Can I reasonably assume that this will be yet another law which will be totally ignored and unimplemented? Name and address supplied Smoking ban - Page 17