The smoking of sheesha – scented tobacco – is to be banned in the cafes of the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

The city's governor says the move is to help bring down high pollution levels.

But some complain it will ruin the atmosphere of the cafes and kill an ancient tradition.

Smoking tobacco has been banned in some other countries. Three years ago, Tanzania stopped it in many public places for health reasons; Kenya and Uganda have since done so too and other countries are considering such legislation.

Are smoking bans a good idea? Should other African nations follow suit? Have the bans worked in East Africa? Are health concerns more important than tradition? Send us your views.
am not a smoker i realy wanna know bout this?

If people feel that the enjoyment they get from smoking outweighs the destruction of their lungs, I think they should be allowed to smoke. What they must not do is endanger the health of others. They must smoke indoors!