ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance for prohibition of smoking and other tobacco uses in public places and advertisement of tobacco.

The law prohibits smoking or use of tobacco in any other form at public places, including workplace and public vehicles.

The government, however, will issue guidelines for permitting designated smoking areas in such places where adequate arrangements are made to protect the health of non-smokers. The cabinet had recently approved the ordinance.

The law prohibits sale of cigarettes to people below the age of 18 years and within 50 metres from any educational institution.

It imposed a fine of up to Rs1,000 which could be increased to Rs100,000 in case of second offence for violating the law.

Any authorized officer or a police officer, not below the rank of sub-inspector, under the law, can eject a person who contravenes its provisions from a public place.