The Knesset’s Health Committee has approved a wide-reaching addition to a law banning smoking in public places. The new protocol will ban smoking at public performances, swimming pools, inside roofed bus stops, and at train stations and central bus stations, with the exception of marked smoking areas. Bus drivers will not be allowed to smoke inside their vehicles before picking up passengers.

In addition, smoking will be prohibited within 10 meters of clinics and hospitals. In buildings where smoking is prohibited, smoking zones will not be allowed in stairwells or passageways.

The bill will also put strict limits on the percentage of seating space in restaurants, cafes and events halls that can be reserved for smokers.