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Dubai: A rash of tobacco advertisements in UAE newspapers and TV recently have prompted health officials to protest to the National Media Council, though they admitted it was a symbolic move.
The black and white advertisements were on a new line of cigarette featuring glamorous models seen smoking in a luxurious setting.
Health Minister Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Quttami, Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the National Tobacco Control Committee, and Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, head of the Community Education Centre with Shaikh Hamdan Awards for Medical Sciences, said they were protesting against these tobacco advertisements.
"We are sending a letter of protest to the National Media Council," said Al Qutami. He spoke to the press after launching the 'UAE No Tobacco Day'.
The move remains a symbolic gesture as tobacco advertisements in the media are not technically illegal.
"We can't punish them because there is no strong law on it. There is only a vague reference to tobacco advertising," said Wedad, adding she was shocked when she saw them.
She said the new tobacco law, expected to come in by November, would plug the loopholes in current health laws. All tobacco advertisements and sponsorship will be banned under the proposed law.
She predicted there would be more tobacco advertisements in the UAE before the law takes effect. The law is expected to be ratified by November, implementation and enforcement will be phases. "The tobacco companies are increasing their ads because they know the law is coming out," she said.
"But it was up to me, I would sue them [now]," she added.
Layla agreed, saying anti-tobacco action should begin now, instead of waiting for the federal law.
"We will see more and more of these advertisements now because there is no punishment. If we don't punish them now, they will not stop the [advertising]," she said.
Risk
She said allowing the advertisements risked derailing UAE's tobacco control efforts, required by the World Health Organisation Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.
"They're contradicting themselves: they make public places smoke-free and then they allow advertisements. What kind of message does that send?" she said.
Laws not fully enforced
The 2007 Global Youth Tobacco Survey found that smoking rates have gone up among teenagers a previous survey in 2002.
Dr Abdullah Al Beda, General Supervisor of Tobacco Control Programme at the Saudi Ministry of Health, blamed the increase on lack of strong laws and lax enforcement.
"Rates are increasing because the law is not enforced or there is a lack of law. For example, Qatar has good laws but they are not fully enforced," he said.
He was speaking at the UAE's observation of World No Tobacco Day.
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