The Ministry of Public Health launched on May 31, 2019 its national strategy to combat smoking in Lebanon, coinciding with the World No Tobacco Day. The strategy calls for the implementation of Article 13 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. 

It also stipulates the enforcement of several Lebanese laws issued in 1995, 2007, 2011 and 2012, all of which warn about the dangers of smoking, control the manufacturing and import processes of tobacco products, as well as impose elevated penalties on non-compliant parties. Specifically, it calls for the implementation of Law 174, which was enacted in 2012, that aims to combat smoking and regulate the production, packaging and advertising of tobacco products in Lebanon.   

In addition, the strategy calls on the Council of Ministers and Parliament to draft and approve the necessary legislation that would increase the rates on tobacco products. Also, it stressed the need to stop the smuggling of cigarettes across the Lebanese borders and the sale of such products in the country. 

The strategy also bans the distribution of free samples of tobacco products, and prohibits supplying minors who are under 18 years old with any tobacco product. It stipulates imposing strict fines on any restaurant that serves shisha to minors, ranging from paying large penalties to closing the facility. The ministry emphasized the need to enforce the strategy, as well as to increase oversight, which can be achieved through the effective cooperation between the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Economy & Trade, the Ministry of Interior & Municipalities, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Information, and security agencies.

The World Health Organization indicated that about 38% of Lebanese adults are current smokers. It noted that 40% of students in public and private schools, who are between 13 and 15 years old, are exposed to smoking at their homes and at public spaces.