Dubai: Smoking cessation experts and anti-tobacco advocates welcomed comprehensive regulations to the federal law, which protects children from being exposed to cigarette smoke and discourages them from picking up the habit.

The updated anti-smoking legislation was announced in the third week of this month , and will come into effect in six months.

Experts believe that children in families of smokers have an increased chance of becoming smokers themselves. They also said that passive smoking is an avoidable risk factor for respiratory symptoms in children who are unprotected from exposure in both cars and homes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that one-third of those killed are children often exposed to second-hand smoke.

Based on executive regulations by the UAE Ministry of Health, the anti-tobacco law bans smoking in vehicles in the presence of children under 12 and has regulations to reduce smoking among youth.

The legislation has life-saving measures to limit the effect of tobacco and prevent future smokers, said Dr Wedad Al Maidour, Head of the National Tobacco Control Programme and director of Primary Healthcare Centres from the ministry.

Speaking to Gulf News, she said, “The federal law is a major step. The tough anti-smoking legislation will protect children and youth — both vulnerable groups. The overall aim is to prevent and reduce smoking among children and protect them from second-hand smoke.”

She added, “The updated law will have a significant impact on youth smoking rates and protect from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke.”

Dr Sami Mana Ahmad, Community Medicine Specialist Registrar from the cessation clinic at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), told Gulf News that children whose parents or siblings smoke are more likely to pick up the habit.

“In DHA cessation clinics, the patients’ family history points out to at least one parent or a sibling being a smoker. This happens to be in the majority of the cases,” he said.

Dr Ahmad referred to the “parental behaviour model”.

He said, “Parents who smoke in the presence of children set an example. An increasing number of studies suggest that the smoking habit initiation is influenced by family.”

On the dangers of second-hand smoke, Dr Khalifa Omar Mohammad, cardiologist at Rashid Hospital, told Gulf News that passive smoking is linked with several diseases including lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory conditions like bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia. It is also linked to learning impairment, sleep disturbances, lack of concentration, irritability and other behavioural problems.

He explained passive smoking exposes children to greater risk due to their smaller lungs, faster breathing rate and less developed immune system.

“Tobacco smoke damages the arteries and inner lining of the growing lungs in children, who tend to develop mild airway diseases that could further develop into chronic respiratory conditions,” said Dr Mohammad.