UAE | General
Malls, hotels doubt ban will hit business
Hotels and shopping malls have welcomed the smoking ban and doubt that it will drastically affect business.
- By Mariam Al Serkal and Wafa Issa, Staff Reporters
- Published: 00:00 May 9, 2007
- Public departments in Dubai will become smoke free from May 31, which coincides with World No Tobacco Day.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Dubai: Hotels and shopping malls have welcomed the smoking ban and doubt that it will drastically affect business.
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 proposal of the Dubai Municipality on the subject.
He said the decision comes in line with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2007-2015 to protect public health and improve the quality of life for UAE nationals and expatriates living in Dubai.
Sabina Khandwani, Head of Public Relations and Marketing at BurJuman Centre, said it is too early to comment on how the smoking ban will affect business but they assured that they will adhere once the ban is enforced.
Support
"We have always supported a no smoking environment and once the ban is enforced it will facilitate the enforcement but we need the support of the municipality, shops and customers," said Khandwani.
The municipality needs to give clear directives on what the ban entails, she said.
The management of City Centre and Mall of the Emirates said they were not aware of the decision. However, they refrained from commenting on the issue after Gulf News shared a copy of the municipality's decision with them.
Mustafa Ainen, General Manager of Towers Rotana, said the ban might cause a temporary drop of business, but the public will have to get used to it after a while.
The most difficult time to enforce the ban will be during the night, Ainen said.
"There might be a severe reaction from customers in the beginning, but if the ban is to be followed everywhere then it will be the norm and people will go back to their old habits of socialising in public places," he said.
Programme to regulate smoking in public places includes three things
1 A blanket ban on smoking in schools, educational establishments, hair-cutting saloons, health clubs, internet cafes, food courts and offices.
2 Cafes, restaurants and shopping malls will be required to have designated smoking lounges or corners that meet all prevailing health prerequisites such as proper ventilation and smoke absorbers.
3 Persons under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter smoking zones.
Fines
Fines will be imposed on violators according to local order No. 11 of 2003 pertaining to public health and environment.
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.
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