UAE | General

Dubai cracks the whip on smokers in public places

Public departments in Dubai will become smoke-free from May 31, which coincides with World No Tobacco Day. Violators will be fined, says a senior official.

  • By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 May 8, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Under the ban, persons under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter smoking zones.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Dubai: Public departments in Dubai will become smoke-free from May 31, which coincides with World No Tobacco Day, said a senior official.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the move follows a decision by the Dubai Executive Council to issue a law regulating smoking in public places after it reviewed a municipality proposal on the subject.

From September 15, smoking will be regulated in shopping malls, restaurants and cafes. These places will have to have designated ventilated smoking lounges or should be equipped with smoke absorbers.

From November 15, all food establishments, including bakeries, and other establishments such as beauty salons, hotels and cinemas will also have to adhere to the smoking regulation.

Youngsters banned from smoking zones

  • Violators will be fined from 2008 according to the Local Order No. 11 of 2003 pertaining to public health and environment.
  • A similar ban imposed in shopping malls in 2004 by Dubai municipality was not enforced. Fines ranged between Dh100 to Dh500.
  • Persons under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter smoking zones.
  • A blanket ban on smoking will also be introduced in schools, educational institutions, health clubs, internet cafes, food courts and offices.

Have your say
What is your reaction to a smoking ban in public places? What action should be taken against violators? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.


Your comments


Fantastic move! It's a welcome decision in view of the health hazard caused by smoking. The government should ensure that violators are dealt with even severe fines.
Evelyn
Dubai,United Arab Emirates

This is a very good decision by authority. This move will protect other people from careless smokers. Violators should be strictly fined and if they repeat should be jailed.
Jafar
Dubai,UAE

Great!! It will help me stop smoking..
Zak
Dubai,UAE

Thanks really appreciate it. People should know that smoking is not good for their health, and the smokers disturb others when they smoke in the public places. Once again thanks to the government of Dubai. May god bless them.
Naty
Banjul,Gambia

I am so delighted, thrilled!
Kiran B.
Dubai,UAE

Brilliant! I pray for a smoke-free UAE. what about "Sheesha"? Anyone concerned about it?
Shaik Mahaboob
Dubai,UAE

This decision is very, very good.
Shaker
Dubai,UAE

It's a good move. I am a regular smoker and after coming to UAE, I think the number of cigarettes per day is increasing. This action will definitely help smokers like me reduce and quit this habit.
Saleem
Dubai,UAE

Smoking ban in public places is very great.
Saritha
Sharjah,UAE

A welcome decision. Let's hope it is enforced.
Jonny
Dubai,UAE

I strongly believe that smoking should be banned in all public places, including restaurants, businesses, malls, etc. The government must enforce a very strict penalties on violators. In Canada, sometimes I don't even smell cigarettes for months at a time.
Mukhtar
St.Catherines,Canada

This is a wonderful step to ban smoking in public places. They should ban everywhere in the UAE.
Sarmad
Dubai,UAE

What is the use of such a law if not enforced properly? The same thing was done three years ago and no one paid any attention and it was removed shortly after!!
Amir
Dubai,UAE

I fully agree with this belated rule. I wish the Govt. passed this law long ago. Thanks to the masterminds behind this since smoking often affects the non-smokers too.
Mohammed
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Yes, it?s a good move from Govt. of Dubai. This should be implemented.
Mohamed
Fujairah,UAE

II really appreciate Dubai Municipality?s decision to issue a law regulating smoking in public places. They should have done this long ago. Violators should be strictly fined without any verbal warnings.
Naushad
Ajman,UAE

Congratulations to Dubai authorities for this bold and progressive move. Non-smokers will now have reprieve from secondary smoking legally. The fine should be increased 10-fold for all offenders. After sorting out the smoking issue, the authorities should be able to spend more time on stamping out the ugly and disgusting habit of ?paan? chewing. Then we will be living in a truly clean city.
Alex
Dubai,UAE

Its a good step towards a smoke-free environment, especially in the public departments and clubs which are congested and the smoke really hurts.
Shadi
Dubai,UAE

It is a very good decision for every one, even though I am also a smoker.
Afzal
Karachi,Pakistan

I thank and congratulate the Dubai Municipality team. They are taking care of the civilians.
Shanavas
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Brilliant! Something that was long pending...
Sajith
Dubai,UAE

I have no words to praise the Dubai Executive Council for issuing such a law regulating smoking in public places and the Dubai Municipality who brought the proposal on the subject. Smoking is one of the most unhealthy habits. If smokers are not worried about their health it is up to them, but they should not be careless about others' health.
Sunil
Dubai,UAE

All smokers should be fined Dh1000 or more.
Sunil
DUBAI,UAE

The Dubai government has made a good decision by banning smoking in all public places. This is a sensible solution which balances the protection of the majority with the personal freedom of the minority smokers. People do not have the right to damage the health of others, or to impose an intolerable degree of inconvenience or nuisance on others. It will ensure that people will be able to go to their workplace, or choose to go out for a meal or a drink without the damage, inconvenience or pollution from second-hand smoke. This will go a long way to portray a good image Dubai and hopefully the ban should also be applied to other Emirates on a federal level.
Saleh
Abu Dhabi,UAE

What about bars and night clubs? Now there is no proper ventilation in most of the hotels. If you enter a club it's filled with smoke, so all hotels should be equipped with proper smoke absorbers (heavy duty).
Bobby
Dubai,UAE

This decision is good.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE

Fantastic News !!!! You made my day hearing this outstanding info.
James
Dubai,UAE

This is a good step taken by the Dubai municipality. It is really a big threat when young children pass by these smokers because they would inhale the smoke which is exhaled by the smoker which could contain harmful bacteria.
Joyston
Dubai,UAE

It?s about time to protect children, women and men who don't smoke, from careless smokers who simply blow their cigarette smoke into other people's face. I've even seen people smoking with their infants on their shoulders! Fines must be implemented without exceptions. In long run, this will benefit smokers as well. May be they'll consider quitting.
Rashed
Dubai,UAE

The government should have introduced this a long time ago. People smoke here without giving the slightest regard to other people's health. So I feel that this is one of the best decisions that Dubai government has taken than all the mega projects that has been unveiled in this part of the world.
Joby
Dubai,UAE

Why do shopping malls need to have regulated areas for smoking? It seems to be a waste of resource and money to provide to smokers. If you need to smoke, step out of the mall and light up on the curb.
Rehan
Dubai,UAE

Thank God! It's about time. I'm so tired of coming home from the mall smelling like an ashtray.
Stacey
Dubai,UAE

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