The notorious prohibition in Egypt exists and it is caused by faith, but it only concerns representatives of Islam. Locals understand tourists drinking alcohol, but it is also necessary to know when to stop and respect their customs.
It is advisable to drink alcohol in establishments where it is provided, not to take drinking to crowded places. Such a minor prank as drinking alcohol on the street will be interpreted as disrespect for the faith.
If everything is strict with alcohol in the country, then the issue of smoking is much freer. So to speak, from one extreme to another. They smoke a lot, many and in most places. If there is no sign closing, then it is allowed. Cigarettes and hookah, locally “shisha”, are very common. If cigarettes are mainly smoked by men, then hookah is also smoked by women. Hookah tobacco and local cigarettes are often brought back from vacation by smoking enthusiasts. By the way, the most famous Egyptian cigarettes are Cleopatra. These are the ones people buy when shopping in Egypt.