1.   Royal Caribbean International has banned smoking in all its dining rooms, and Clipper Cruise Lines, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises now allow smoking only on deck.

2.   Concerned over rising levels of cancer and other diseases, Taiwan has tightened controls on tobacco sales to minors and banned smoking in many public buildings.

3.   Northwest has since banned smoking on its flights.

4.   The Vietnamese government has recently begun acknowledging the health risks of smoking, and Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet banned smoking from government meetings last month.

5.   The Italian government on Thursday banned smoking in public places like schools, universities and public agencies and offenders will be fined, officials said.