Bhutan first nation to ban smoking

[Rose Siding]

GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) -- The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has banned smoking in public and tobacco sales, the first country in the world to do so.

The ban by the reclusive, predominantly Buddhist state follows a decision by its national legislature in July to curb smoking to promote national well-being.

"A total ban on the sale and smoking of tobaccos has been imposed in the country from December 17," said Lily Wangchuk, a spokeswoman at Bhutan's embassy in New Delhi.

"It is for the well-being of the people, to protect the environment and preserve our culture," she told Reuters.

People who cannot kick the habit can import tobacco for personal use, but at a 100 percent tax. They can only smoke indoors in the privacy of their homes.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/17/bhutan.smoking.reut/index.html