UAE | General

Tobacco firms seek balanced approach

Dubai's intention to ban smoking in public places elicited a mixed response from two groups in the opposite ends of the smoking issue - health officials and tobacco companies.

  • By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 May 8, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Establishments welcome restrictions on smoking in public places.
  • Image Credit: Photo by Arshad Ali; Infographic by Talib Jariwala/Gulf News

Dubai: Dubai's intention to ban smoking in public places elicited a mixed response from two groups in the opposite ends of the smoking issue - health officials and tobacco companies.

Health officials with Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) greeted the news of the ban in public places with glee. Dr Ali Al Marzouqi, director of public health for Dohms, told Gulf News that the ban would be better enforced this time as the direction came directly from the top.

"If Dubai had continued at same level, we would have seen a rise of chronic diseases in 10 years," he added.

Dr Al Marzouqi also said businesses need not fear that they will lose profits if they make their premises smoke-free.

"We have evidence from other countries that shows an outright ban in public places works. Businesses are just giving excuses. Qatar has the same law and no problems have been reported," he said, predicting that tourism would increase with the health policy in place.

Dr Afzal Hussain Yousuf, senior cardiologist at Dubai Hospital, said that the ban has given non-smokers and health conscious people a voice.

However, tobacco companies warned that the ban would fail if it entailed an outright ban against smoking in public places, saying it discriminated against their customers.

British American Tobacco (BAT) and Phillip Morris told Gulf News that they both supported a ban on smoking in certain areas, such as schools, universities and health clubs, but called for a more "balanced approach" to the ban.

Ruwaida Ajram, corporate affairs and communications manager at Phillip Morris, said in a statement the company would also support a smoking ban in public transportation vehicles, supermarkets and banks.

"At the same time, regulations should also permit businesses to provide adult smokers a comfortable place in which to smoke."

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