Dubai smoking ban to be extended to cover more areas

Dubai: Hotels and furnished apartments in Dubai will soon become non-smoking zones.

Dubai Municipality is extending smoking ban and will come into effect from January 15, 2008, said Salem Bin Mesmar, Director of Public Health at Dubai Municipality.

Click here to download a full list of the smoking regulations (pdf)

The civic body also proposed to increase the fine imposed on lighting up a cigarette in non-smoking area from Dh500 to Dh1,000, said a senior official on Wednesday.

"We have sent a proposal to the legal department to revise fines for violators [of] smoking regulations set by the Dubai Municipality," said Salem Bin Mesmar, Director of the Public Health Department at the Municipality.

The fines for individuals may range from Dh1,000 to Dh8,000 while establishments may face fines from Dh10,000 to Dh80,000 for not adhering to smoking regulations, he said.

"Our main aim is not to impose fines but to help society accept the change because it is good for their health," Bin Mesmar said.

The municipality on Wednesday also announced implementation of the third phase of its campaign to regulate smoking.

"Smoking will be regulated in hotels, motels, furnished apartments, dormitories and resorts with effect from January 15," he said.

The civic body has completed two phases to regulate smoking in shopping malls from September 15 while smoking ban rules were introduced for restaurants and cafés from November 18.

"We have prepared guidelines based on the best practices in USA, Canada, Europe and Australia," said Zahoor Al A Sabbagh, Head of Clinic and Community Health Section at the Municipality.

She said the guide would offer general instructions on dos and don'ts to the management of public facilities, where smoking has been regulated.

I am really glad to inform as a resident of Dubai that there are really right things happening towards the end of 2007. This is one of the best steps taken by government in terms of health of both smokers and non-smokers.
Manoj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 13, 2007, 11:27

This is a positive move and it should extend to all the Emirates, I live in Abu Dhabi and I am fed up of being a second hand smoker.
Abudallah
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 13, 2007, 10:29

I don't like the law even though I am a non-smoker. Let the people have their freedom. Smoking should be banned only in crowded, closed places such as buses.
Rukiya
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 13, 2007, 09:31

Research has found passive smoking more injurious to health than smoking and I thank the Dubai Municipality authorities for implementing such strict measures to curb smoking in public places. To ensure a healthy environment, those violating the rules should be penalised.
Kamal
Ajman,UAE
Posted: December 13, 2007, 09:02
 

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