North Korea bans smoking in public places: State Media

 North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly on Wednesday introduced smoking bans in specific venues, such as political and ideological education centres, theatres and cinemas and medical and public health facilities.

The tobacco-prohibition law aims to promote 'hygienic living environment' and protect the lives and health of its people. It tightens the legal and social controls on the production and sale of cigarettes, state media KCNA reported.

According to the WHO, North Korea has high rates of smoking tobacco, with 43.9% of the male population smokers as of 2013. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is himself known as a chain smoker.