Smoking ban leaves some Gaza cab drivers fuming
The Gaza government has begun enforcing a ban on smoking in public transportation vehicles at the beginning of the year, to mixed reactions among drivers and passengers.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Gaza government has decided to start enforcing a smoking ban in public transportation vehicles and impose fines of about $26 for drivers who smoke or allow passengers to smoke in their vehicles. Violators began to receive citations on Jan. 1.
Palestinian law bans both drivers and passengers from smoking inside the public transportation vehicles.
Some drivers and passengers welcomed the move, while others complained it is just a new way for the government to generate income to solve its financial crisis.
Cab driver Mohammed Abu Aisha told Al-Monitor, “I have been working as a driver for 12 years and I used to smoke inside my car. It is very hard to let go of this habit, but since the law is being enforced today, I try to avoid it as much as I can.”
