Selling and eating sweets is forbidden except on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Once upon a time in Lebanon (5)

Many laws, decrees and decisions have been issued to organize the Lebanese life, including the Legislative Decree No. 63 of July 2, 1943, which prohibits the sweets, candies and pastries from being displayed, sold and consumed in hotels, restaurants, cafes and other open spaces except on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Any person who violates the provisions of this Decree shall be punished by imprisonment from 7 days to 3 months and a fine ranging from LBP 25 to LBP 500 or by one of these two penalties.

Today, 78 years after the promulgation of this Decree, the reasons behind it remain a mystery. It might have been issued to reduce the consumption of sweets, i.e. for economic and health reasons, or to enable the Ministry of Supply’s team to better control their sales. Yet, the existence of this Decree is evidence of the extent to which the then officials were concerned about the Lebanese people’s health, safety and lives. So how different is today from 1943?