Image by Mike Fratantoro

The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. Image by Mike Fratantoro

According to multiple media outlets, The Vatican will end sales of cigarettes beginning in 2018 after Pope Francis ordered a countrywide ban, Reuters reports.

The Pope made the decision because of health concerns over smoking, a spokesman told Reuters.

“The motive is very simple: the Holy See cannot be cooperating with a practice that is clearly harming the health of people,” spokesman Greg Burke said in a statement to Reuters.

According to Reuters, Vatican employees are allowed to buy five cartons of cigarettes a month at a discount.

However, cigar sales will continue.