The Ministry of Health announced today that all smoking corners in hospitals and public schools would be closed, such that smoking will be forbidden throughout these institutions. This follows the approval today by the Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee of a series of Ministry recommendations to reduce public areas in which smoking is permitted. Smoking will be forbidden in all stores, and smoking areas in restaurants will be cut in half, to only 1/4 of the total restaurant area. Waiting rooms for doctors and the like will be no-smoking, as will be shopping areas, except for a room set aside for the purpose. The new regulations will go into effect 90 days after Health Minister Nissim Dahan signs them, which he is expected to do within a few days.