Have your say: Smoking in cars

Added 14:25 March 28, 2013

The best way to avoid this unhealthy habit or addiction is just to ban selling cigarettes throughout all shops in UAE. Its high time this action needs to be taken.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 21:06 October 20, 2012

People who do such things think they are on top of the world. They usually have this egoistic attitude while smoking, even after people give them disgusting looks. I feel smoking and driving is a distraction. The streering on one hand and the cigarette on the other is just pure nonsence. Such people should be fined for this.

Rajeshwari N, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 22:35 October 16, 2012

A couple of weeks back i saw a mother smoking away in her car, windows rolled up and her daughter (around 2yrs old) strapped in the back seat. This was whilst i was waiting to collect my daughter from her after-school-activity. I was Utterly dumbfounded to think of how the mother is slowly killing her daighter

Meetu Farrell, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:01 October 16, 2012

Smoking inside the car should be banned. I had a bad experience, someone threw a cigarette from their car and it came inside my car and fell on the back seat while I was driving and the seat burnt. I didnt even know about it. when the smoke came out of my seat then only came to know about it. it has to be banned as soon as possible.

Anonymous, sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:53 October 16, 2012

I saw a guy driving down Discovery Gardens Boulevard with a cigarette in one hand and texting on his phone with the other hand while balancing the steering wheel. When he stopped it told him not to do it and he turned around and said tell the authorities to come catch me.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:35 October 16, 2012

People who smoke in cars, be it alone or with family especially with children should be fined heavily. Smoking is Injurious to health and if they have no love for themself never mind, but they should atleast think about the people who are travelling with them. Also people have no manners, often when they drive they smoke and throw the buds which still has fire on them on the street. Its pretty dangerour for others who drive on them and can have serious treats to life (just incase if they have leaking petrol tank) you know what would the concequence be. I think govt should think about this and take a serious step, and help curb this dangerous habit. Thanks & Regards Lavina

Anonymous, Dubai, India

Added 16:23 October 16, 2012

Smoking cigarette inside the vehicles should be banned

Abdul, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:57 October 16, 2012

Total ban is hard to implement. I've seen a lot of people smoking while driving. Smoking in cars are prohibited with passengers under the age of 18 (Tasmania) and under 16 (New South Wales). I think UAE can implement this as well.

L.Hewitt, Dubai, Australia

Added 15:36 October 16, 2012

first of all HATE the smell of cigarette in the car, and it should be banned.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:26 October 16, 2012

People can smoke in the car but not throw bud and litter the ash. Some people tend to smoke especially when stuck bumper to bumper. Every driver should mind their own business and drive rather to look into other cars.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:25 October 16, 2012

Cigarette smoking is bad for health, whoever use it and for the person next to them who inhales it. Parents shouldn't smoke in the car while their children are with them. It will lead to bad health problems for them as well as they would also want to smoke ciggaretes. This would lead to bad habits from childhood itself. As parents they are supposed to teach them not to smoke.

Anonymous, abu dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:18 October 16, 2012

I have seen many people, smoking while driving their cars with children (infants also) in it and the windows are also closed. This is very dangerous and can lead to suffocation of children and even adults at times. Also smoking while driving reduces the concentration, if the ash falls on the driver or the car seat or mat below, he may try to avoid it spoling his clothes and not concentrate on the road, which could lead to an accident. I urge the authorities to take strict action against such people who not only care about themselves but also put their family's and other peoples at a large risk. Young children follow their parents and a father with such habit could spoil the coming generation. Jazakallah

Masab Musba, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:12 October 16, 2012

It really would be too much to ban smoking while driving. People who do not smoke do not understand and it is not fair for the smokers. I enjoy smoking while driving but i never throw cigarettes out of the window. There should be a fine if you liter and throw it out of your car onto the street but not for smoking while driving!

Hadi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:08 October 16, 2012

ban cigarettes, the only way to stop smokers. otherwise stop talking about this. If available smoker will smoke irrespective of where they are. But more serious road accident and traffic jam causes are impatient drivers, mobile users (without headset is more dangerous) and people who don't respect other motorist signals. next is beauty consious ladies, news paper readers, etc

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:56 October 16, 2012

Smoking cigarette should be banned inside the car, because most of the people throw the cigarette butts after finishing. They have the freedom to smoke inside their car, but throwing the butts outside while driving is not the freedom.

Vetri, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:55 October 16, 2012

Cigarette smoking is bad for health and checkpoints should be in place to discourage people from smoking as it's injurious to their health, as well as others. Smoking in cars poses an equal risk of accidents or fire to one's self and others. People caught smoking in cars should be advised not to do so. in the end, law and order can only go so far, people have choice to make or face consequences.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:53 October 16, 2012

Smoking should be banned completely in UAE to create a healthy environment.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:50 October 16, 2012

Smoking in the car and thowing ash outside is a style nowadays. The ban should be inposed while smoking in the car.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:41 October 16, 2012

Yes, I have noticed while driving many people smoke and throw the remaining buds without caring about the vehicle coming behind them. Whenever such incident happens with me I used to give honk my horn and or use my dippers to make them realise that they are doing something wrong and dangerious for oncoming vehicles. I wish I could have taken video and send to the authorities for taking action and applying fines, but I cant do such recording while driving. I request the persons to avoid such dangerous acts and save lives.

ALJ BARI, ABUDHABII, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:33 October 16, 2012

What more will you want to impose on people? isn't it getting too much by trying to control people's lives in the name of safety and security? those who want to smoke should smoke in their cars, provided the windows are closed and the butts are extinguished in the tray.

Anonymous, DUbai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:33 October 16, 2012

I have seen many people smoke in their cars while driving. This habit should be banned by RTA

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:31 October 16, 2012

It's not rare to catch a glimpse of motorists with one hand on the wheel and one on their cigarette. The heights of their etiquette extends to holding the cigarette and exhaling towards an open window. They don't seem to care that second hand smoke is harmful to the people around them. How does one make such people aware of the discomfort they cause when these people cannot stop to consider how much they are harming themselves.

Jeena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:29 October 16, 2012

i have seen many people smoke in the car while driving. this habit should be banned by RTA

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:24 October 16, 2012

I do agree with some points like, smoking in the presence of kids in the car, smoking while driving using one hand could be dangerous, not using the signal because your one hand is preoccupied with a cigarette, throwing lit butts out of the window should be punishable… but I would like to point this out towards the non-smokers as I have encountered many non-smoking drivers who drive rashly in the presence of kids in their car, eating/drinking/reading while driving with one hand, not using the signal to change lanes (what's your excuse?), throwing trash outside the car&hellip. If you think smoking in the car should be punishable then please include these actions made by the non-smokers as well! Please note: I am not promoting smoking, I am just saying even though smoking is a habit (bad one) but it is a personal choice. In my opinion, Awareness is more important than levying fines. People who are ignorant should be educated with the pros and cons. People with money can pay off the fines and still be ignorant, isn't it? So a campaign to highlight 'Common Sense' and 'Courtesy' is going to be more effective than just posting comments and fighting over it. A suggestion from a non-ignorant-smoker

SC, Dubai, India

Added 14:22 October 16, 2012

If he or she is smoking inside car means that is violation which comes under public roads, Municipality should specify in the law that driver using public road. Smoking should be totally banned in public places as they are soiling public areas by throwing butts, especially in beautiful gardens, we expect good positive energy from plants and little gardens if someone polluting means this is aginst law.

Zulfikar Ali, Sharjah, India

Added 14:12 October 16, 2012

I think smoking should be totally banned in every country due to health reasons. we can see people smoking even after posted signs stating "No smoking" because they have cigratte to smoke. If every country ban cigratte manufacturing and trading i think this will reduce smoking. If we want to stop something it should be stopped from the root. cutting the Trees will not help unless the root is removed from the stem.

Sarfaraz Khan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:10 October 16, 2012

Dear All, I have seen innumerable people smoking and driving and i dont have any problem with that. But when they throw the lit cigarette butts out of their vehicle it is dangerous. These people have little concern for others and sometimes i have noticed that the butts spark and go below other cars. Due to this practice, once a car caught fire in dubai. Its time authorities took action against these drivers who has little concern for other road users.

Ajoy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:03 October 16, 2012

"These people are endangering themselves, and also the people around them driving at the same time". They will continue to do so until a mishap happens, that's human tendency. Till the bad thing does not happen to you, it will be kept on doing. If I have to say in one sentence; "BAN THEM AND THEIR CARS"

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:01 October 16, 2012

UAE has taken wise step by increaming the cost on the cigarettes. RTA should have a complete ban on smoking in vehicles, irrespective who's in the vehicle. I even still see people smoking in the public areas. A complete ban is the best option.

Jos Cardozo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:59 October 16, 2012

I seen many of them smoking inside the car while driving and also feeling very dangerous when they throw remaining cigarette on the road without looking behind their vehicle.

Anonymous, Dubai, India

Added 13:50 October 16, 2012

I do smoke moderately but I always carry the responsibility not to harm others including my family by continuing my habit. If the research is true that passive smoking is more harmful than active smoking, there is no doubt that irresposnsible smokers are committing homicide. Several times a day I feel sorry mostly for women inside the cars while the men smoke and drive with all the windows up except his and sometimes kids included. Smoking while driving is not only harmful but also an act of indecency and the dangers involved are also not less even a small pinch of ash falling on the driver could take a toll. I totally agree that smoking while driving should be completely banned so is increasing punishment and penalty for throwing stabs around. It is the life of innocent people and the image of UAE that matters, should we think twice?!

Mohammad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:50 October 16, 2012

Seen a lot of drivers smoking, but the worst is to throw them out the window carelessly which affects fellow drivers. Should definitely be punished.

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:47 October 16, 2012

Hi, first I would like to thank gulf news for raising this issue. I hate people doing same. Don't they know results of that? it affects people, others' property, environment and mainly cause of an accident. smoking facility available all in cars but why don't they use that. they should be punished. Thanks

kumaran, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:40 October 16, 2012

should i also stop smoking in my living room? i guess accidents happen because some people pick up their phones when they see someone smoking just to take a picture and post it here. i agree with the littering thing, but trust me i've seen people throwing tissue papers and mcdonalds bags out of their cars. you should probably start a campaign against this too.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:33 October 16, 2012

It must be banned, during my one hour journey everyday on Al Ethihad road towards Dubai, i could see several people smoking while driving as shown in this picture. it must be banned. once they complete smoking, they throw the remaining to the road, then we can see fire spark, the following cars drivers get scared due to this spark. it must be banned, expecting quick action from authorities, thanks

Vishwan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:12 October 16, 2012

Smokers in the car should be fined heavily as it is very dangerous.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:10 October 16, 2012

Yeah, I see daily at least 2-3 such people on my way to office through Ittihad Rd Shj to Dxb. For them its a time pass in traffic but can endanger others' lives with theirs. I think smoking itself should be banned

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:05 October 16, 2012

It is disgusting and frightening to see people throwing cig butt with no care. Imagine if a car behind with petrol leakage. Please take strong and immediate actions against these people.

Anita Immanuel, Dubai, India

Added 13:03 October 16, 2012

smoking in car clogs your air conditioner filters and makes sure there is always ash all over your car dashboard and horrible scent of smoke which you breath in continously. It does give allergies and makes immune systems weak so smokers are mostly sick. I had been smoking for 13 years and now thank God i quit smoking by using nicotine chewing gum and extra chewing gum. i feel healthier and more oxygen makes me feel fresh and breath properly.

Anonymous, dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:55 October 16, 2012

smoking should be avoided in the car as other people who are non - smokers in the car will be affected by passive smoking. people should report to the authorities with car no and photgraph for issuing a fine for smoking in the car. this way we can control.

Anonymous, dubai, India

Added 12:49 October 16, 2012

First of all, smoking should be strictly restricted while driving. it affects your attention and may cause an accident even. if people don't smoke while driving i think they will not lose anything. main fact is smoking while driving creates an enormous hazard to other road users. Smoking causes a number of distractions including a visual distraction while they search around their car for their cigarettes and lighter; cognitive distraction as their brain focuses on finding and then lighting their cigarette; and manual distraction as they are required to remove both hands from the wheel in order to light their cigarette. Once the cigarette is lit, the driver will be required to continue to keep one hand off the steering wheel in order to consume the burning cigarette. They will subsequently become distracted by the need to expel ash either into the car's cigarette tray or else out the window. The entire process of lighting and smoking a cigarette while driving is extremely dangerous. Please Avoid Smoking while driving.

ALI HASSAN ABID, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:28 October 16, 2012

Smoking habit can cause also accident while driving likewise using mobile phones. i see some hazards for smoking inside the car burn hazards from the arms or fingers of the smokers may lead to lost of control of the wheel. our beloved police may also catch this people to prevent accident on the street

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:26 October 16, 2012

I had noticed alot of cases, last thursday too I noticed, I was really worried driving behind him, as he never put the signals when he changes lanes and worried about my car as he throws away the burning cigarette taking the last puff. These people don't care about them or people behind them.Some times kids are with these people when the smoke and drive. 12 Black points with 2500 Aed fine, if same offense is repeated cancel the license Police need to reward people who take photo of these type of drivers and mail them with car plate number

Shareen, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:23 October 16, 2012

Totally ban cigarettes in UAE. Just imagine cigarette butts everywhere. There should be an 'anti-cigarette campaign' or 'butt litter prevention'.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:20 October 16, 2012

people have the right to do as they please in their personal lives. i find it frightening that slowly the views of one group of people are forced on the entire society. whats next ? people cant drink coca cola or pepsi in the car because the world is worried about global obesity ? com' on this is going a little too far in terms of safeguarding people's over zealous concern for the society. the reason/ the basis for Dubai's success is the fact that it has (and i hope it continues to give) individuals certain level of basic freedom that are basics to existence and happiness. people have got to respect "other person's right to their own space."

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:15 October 16, 2012

Yes i have seen them many times......and They proudly throw ashes out from the windows and drive with one hand.....

Asif, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates