Bhutan was the first country in the world to impose a nationwide ban on smoking.
To begin with, on December 12, 2004, the predominantly Buddhist nation banned the sale of tobacco products. But cigarettes and tobacco continued to be smuggled into the country. The fine for those who violated the ban was $210.
To curb the practice, the then monarchy imposed a 100 per cent tax on people who wanted to import tobacco for personal use just because they couldn't kick the habit. Interestingly, the ban was not applicable to foreign tourists, diplomats or those working for NGOs.
A year later, on March 1, 2005, the Himalayan kingdom imposed a total ban on smoking.
However, as Bhutan opens its doors to the modern world, the effectiveness of the ban seems to have been dented.
Image: A Bhutanese man smokes at a local bar in Thimphu defying the country-wide ban on smoking.
Photograph: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images
Also read: Access to cigarettes is key to kids' decision to smoke
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