UAE | Community Reports

Move smokers away from UAE mall entrances

Shoppers are being forced to inhale second-hand smoke at malls and near designated smoking areas causing health fears

  • By Bashir Mohammad Hijas, Gulf News Reader
  • Published: 00:01 April 6, 2010
  • Gulf News

Illustration
  • Image Credit: Illustration: Nino Jose Heredia/Gulf News

I have been noticing a problem which I think should be highlighted in a community report.

My issue is with the "designated smoking area" in shopping malls. The entrance from the parking lots to the malls is often dotted with smokers, who fill up the air with exhaled smoke and endanger passers-by.

The designated area is in a place where [it affects everyone], including women and children. Often, this location is either not adequately ventilated or not ventilated at all, and the low roofs of the parking areas prevent the exhaled smoke from rising up in the air.

Passive smoking

Thus, the exhaled smoke and its smell lingers in the area for a long period of time.

Most importantly, this smoke endangers the health of passers-by due to the passive smoking effect.

There are several suggested remedial actions:

• Relocate the designated smoking area to a secluded place, away from the exit and entrance gates, so that it does not affect non-smokers.

• Build a glass wall around the smoking area to contain the smoke.

• Install heavy-duty smoke suckers, to trap the exhaled smoke. This would prevent others from inhaling exhaled smoke.

— The reader is a business analyst, in Dubai.

Be a citizen reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Write to us at readers@gulfnews.com

Comments (4)

  1. Added 19:47 April 6, 2010

    I thank Mr. Bashi Mohammed Hijas for highlighting this issue of smokers crowding the entrance of the malls. It is a common scene, not only for malls, but other office buildings, whether you are in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. I had highlighted a similar situation happening in Abu Dhabi through one of Community report dated 06 April 2009 (strange!!). I followed it up vigorously with the authorities including mall managements and replies received were not promising as they had to find solution for a separate smoking area, rooms etc, which are costly. Rather than the amount of smoke inhaled while one pass by, I was concerned about the temptation, the younger generation gets by watching grown up men and women smoking away fumes waiting in front of the malls. It is a dangerous precedence and it will create an instinctive attraction to try for a cigarette in young minds. Authorities have to find solutions to these exhibitionism outside the premises as and when they introduce control measures to stop smoking inside malls and building. Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi

    Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 15:30 April 6, 2010

    I personally agree to this. whenever i park in the malls n am on my way to enter with my baby, i feel guilty bringing her near this smokey place. smoking in malls was banned but do we have to smell smoke before entering?

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 15:04 April 6, 2010

    Imagine the exhausts from the parking itself, more intense than some smokers hanging out, yes a secluded place will do for them. But more than refraining from second hand smokers, its important now, to keep away from petroleum exhausts and hydrocarbons from motor vehicles. Have a no car all walking day weekends first and then teadily start depend less on cars. will keep us fit too. Also stay away from cement and concrete particles getting to our lungs from construction sites, living close is probably even more harmful.

    Tarek Syed, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 13:18 April 6, 2010

    Dear business analyst, Another exaggeration against smokers. Being myself an ex-smoker for more than a year now, I nevertheless feel compelled to say something, reading such requests. Does it really harm your health more if you are going from the exhaust polluted parking lots through second-hand smoke? In the parking lot you will walk from your car to the entrance for minutes, inhaling dangerous exhaust gases coming from all cars, inclusive yours. To go through the second hand smoke you will need seconds! Please keep things logical so. Best Regards Ex-Smoker Uwe

    Uwe, Dubai, Germany

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