Around the World: Health

Boston to ban tobacco bars

The Boston Public Health Commission is scheduled to vote soon on expanded smoking restrictions that would be among the toughest in the US. The proposal would ban cigar bars and hookah bars, which currently enjoy exemptions from Boston's four-year-old workplace smoking ban. It would also eliminate sales of tobacco in pharmacies and on college campuses. The commission gave preliminary approval to the rules in September, and is scheduled for a final vote on Thursday.