The Minister of Interior for Libya's Government of National Accord, Fathi Bashagha, issued an order on Thursday banning smoking in the workplace.

The list of places where smoking is prohibited included: "ministries, public departments, offices, centers, colleges and institutes, clinics, social clubs, indoor facilities where social/cultural and sports activities are held, airports, land and sea ports, and all means of public transport."

The statement said that the decision "comes in the interest of the Ministry of the interior to implement public safety and health controls, implement the regulations and decisions issued thereon, and implement Law No. 10 of 2005, which includes the ratification of the World Health Organization Convention on the control of smoking, and general people's Committee (formerly) Resolution No. 206 of 2009.

The order stipulates that "the General Directorate of inspection, inspection offices, directors of public departments, directors of centers and security managers shall be responsible for following up on this order by banning smoking in workplaces, taking measures to prevent it, putting up clear and understandable signs, as well as not placing ashtrays in those areas."