Marlboro stubbed out on billboards in Bahrain
The move is part of efforts to stop cigarette and tobacco advertising at all sporting events throughout Bahrain, including the Bahrain International Circuit in the long term, according to sources.
The self-ban on billboards is an extremely significant development in light of a growing "epidemic" of smoking and its related ailments all over the world, said primary care and public health assistant under-secretary Dr Mariam Al Jalahma.
"This is a beginning and will go a long way in our ultimate goal of getting Bahrain to be a smoke-free nation," Dr Al Jalahma told the GDN.
She would not comment on the ban of tobacco advertising in the Formula One race, but said that Bahrain was looking at several "models" across the world to implement anti-smoking laws.
Dr Al Jalahma, who is also the Bahrain Anti Smoking Society chairwoman, said that the ministry and the society have been extremely encouraged with Parliament for approving a new anti-smoking law.