Smokers fume over latest step to extend tobacco ban

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: The authorities in Dubai are planning to expand the ban on smoking in public to more areas including parks and beaches in addition to the current restriction on smoking in shopping malls.

The ban will form the next phase of the municipality's smoking regulation enforcement, which has so far covered hotels, restaurants and cafes, malls and sports halls.

Smoking in parks will be banned, because they house many family areas, including children's playgrounds. While many residents welcomed the move, smokers voiced their concern asking for designated areas for smoking in all public places.

Gulf News took to the streets and asked a cross-section of residents for their take on the ban on smoking in public places and whether they thought people should be banned from smoking in their cars.

Tarek Ansari, Egyptian, a consultant anaesthetist, 50, feels that smoking should be banned in public areas as long as there is designated areas for smokers, whether indoors or outdoors.

"Smoking shouldn't be banned in open areas such as parks. How can you control banning smokers in parks and private cars? If a person wants to smoke in his/her car, that should be under his own responsibility and personal freedom."

A Filipina housewife, Delhia Peneyra, 49, feels that smoking should be banned in both public and private areas.

"Smoking is dangerous for children and pregnant woman. It's also dangerous to smoke while driving, a person may drive fast and lose control of the wheel while lighting a cigarette. Smoking should definitely be banned in cars, parks and everywhere else."

Filipina, Shirly Esteba, 30, suffers from a rhinitis allergy, especially if she is surrounded by smoke.

"My nose gets blocked and I can't breathe if I smell smoke. I feel that smoking should be banned in office buildings and work areas, and indoors in general, especially if there is central air-conditioning, since air and smoke is circulated faster which can easily add to the ozone layer problem.

"However I don't see any reason why smoking should be banned in open areas, that's what open areas are for!"

Tim Denton, 46, originally from England said: "I am absolutely delighted at this news. I have never smoked in my life and I hate getting other people's smoke in my face. I particularly welcomed the ban in shopping malls and restaurants but I'm all for it extending to beaches and parks.

"The more restrictions there are, the less I suffer. Hopefully the ban will encourage more people to quit smoking, which in turn will lead to a reduction in the amount of time doctors spend treating people with smoking-related illnesses."

Gulam Murtaza, a Pakistani showroom manager, maintained that smokers should be allotted designated areas in all public places.

"Banning smoking in designated areas is not a problem as long as they have designated areas for smokers. You cannot smoke in shopping malls and hence you have to endure the heat to take a few puffs in the afternoon.

"It would in the interest of both smokers and non-smokers for the authorities to designate areas for smoking in all public places including malls and parks. I think banning smoking in public vehicles is a good move but not in private vehicles."

Nick Edge, a 49-year-old from England, welcomed the move to extend the ban.

"It's obviously bad news for smokers but I personally think it's a great decision. Even in open spaces it's not nice to breathe in somebody else's smoke.

"Furthermore, hopefully this decision will help eliminate the problem of discarded cigarette butts which blight the city's landscape. People should smoke in the comfort of their own home and let everyone else enjoy the city smoke-free."

Mohammad Ganayem, a manager from Palestine, commented it was not fair on smokers to impose a ban in all public places.

"I know that banning smoking in public places is good. But you should consider the convenience of smokers too. We come to malls not just to shop but to have a cup of coffee and a few cigarettes too.

"Now that smoking is not allowed in shopping malls, people have taken to public parks. If you ban smoking in parks and cars, where are we supposed to smoke outside? There should be designated areas for smokers, otherwise it is not fair."

David McBride, a 41-year-old originally from Northern Ireland, thinks it was a good idea to ban smoking in malls and restaurants but believes the latest step is a step too far.

"It's a free world and you can't stop people smoking. It's a personal choice and banning smoking outdoors is an infringement on civil liberties. I also think this latest step will be difficult to enforce."