Abu Dhabi: Smokers can no longer light up in hotel lobbies and cafes and restaurants situated in lobbies in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The ruling, issued by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (ADTCA), is part of a drive to ban smoking in enclosed public places, as stated under Federal Law No 15 of 2009. Circulated in January, the regulation called upon hotels, hotel apartments and tourism facilities to prohibit smoking in these public areas.
The statement by the ADTCA added that outlets that fail to comply with the standards would face punitive measures, although these were not specified.
According to the TCA Abu Dhabi’s April 2014 report, there are 153 hotels and hotel apartments in the emirate. Between January and April this year, 1.13 guests frequented these facilities, representing a 31 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Hotel personnel contacted by Gulf News said they were aware of the rule.
“We banned smoking in the lobby more than three months ago. For the convenience of smokers, we have other outlets other than the main reception area,” said Reema Baroudi, director of communication and public relations at the Intercontinental Hotel Abu Dhabi.
At the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort, the practice has also been prohibited since February in the lobby, the coffee shop adjacent to it and the conference centre, said Yves Tarabout, the facility’s deputy general manager.
“Transition to no-smoking in these areas has been exceptionally smooth, especially as many of our customers would have experienced similar regulations in Dubai as well as in other countries,” Tarabout added.
Dr Widad Al Maidour, head of tobacco control at the UAE Ministry of Health, told Gulf News that the ADTCA’s initiative is a step in the right direction.
“It is an excellent effort as the Abu Dhabi Government works to make all public places 100 per cent smoke-free,” she added.
Ashraf, 29, a media executive from Syria, smokes more than a pack a day but said that it is incumbent upon smokers to respect the rights of those who don’t in shared spaces.
“Still, it is rather inconvenient that lighting up is not allowed in lobby-situated cafes as this diminishes the social experience for us,” he added
Since the beginning of the year, a number of other stipulations of the 2009 anti-tobacco law have come into effect. For example, in accordance with a ruling by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, cafes and restaurants offering shisha (tobacco water pipe) are now required to be located 150 metres away from residential buildings, schools and mosques. Otherwise, outlets may not include shisha on their menus.
Another by-law came into effect in January and it bans smoking in cars in the presence of children 12 years or younger. Under this standard, offenders can be face fines of Dh500 or more.
In addition, cigarette packs sold across the country have been mandated to display graphic warnings on the pack since January 2013.
Smoking in enclosed public areas has been banned in Dubai since 2007, and in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah since 2008. Ajman, too, has had a ban in place since 2010.
-With additional inputs by Nada Al Taher, Staff Reporter
