"Life is so hard, so I have to smoke," added anther buyer.
In June 2007, the Egyptian parliament sanctioned a law banning smoking at workplaces, public transportation vehicles, health centers and schools.
Ninety percent of Egyptians believe that smoking is a major cause of some life-threatening diseases like asthma, lung cancer and birth defects, according to the survey results.
A survey published by Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics early this year showed that 41 percent of Egyptian smokers have tried to give up, but only 18 percent of them succeed.
Last month, Egypt planed to make Alexandria its first smoking- free city, hoping it will set an example of anti-smoking campaign.
