Smoking banned from today

Dubai: Efforts to curb tobacco use in the community are ongoing, despite the lack of unified anti-tobacco legislation in the UAE, one year before the country has to show its commitment to a world health body.

Click here to see 'how the smoking affects the human body' (pdf)

As a signatory to the World Health Organisation-Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), the UAE is required to submit a progress report on its tobacco control efforts by February next year.

Dr Maryam Mattar, assistant undersecretary for primary healthcare and public health at the Ministry of Health, told Gulf News that the legislation would come as soon as possible, but they could not remain idle in the meantime.

"We cannot wait for legislation before intervention. [Health initiatives and legislative work] are moving in parallel," she said. Currently, legislation regulating smoking and tobacco use are being implemented at the emirate level.

Dubai has taken the lead in this, by being the first to ban smoking in public places, to be done in phases from public departments to shopping malls. Exact details will be announced tonight.

Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, cardiologist at Dubai Hospital and anti-smoking activist, told Gulf News that the move would succeed this time because the community was more aware.

"It's a good first step even if it is small. It will be successful because people are becoming less tolerant of smokers. Smokers support this because they want to give up but don't have the willpower," she said. Which is where the Health Ministry comes in, by increasing the number of anti-smoking clinics and services in the UAE.

"Our commitment is not only stronger, but we have projects in the community (that have a realistic chance of success)," Dr Maryam said.

The projects include giving free consultation to patients, and selling nicotine replacement therapies and smoking cessation medicines at half price for patients holding health cards from the Ministry of Health, she added.

The ministry has also set up its sixth anti-smoking clinic, and the only anti-smoking clinic in Dubai, in Jumeirah, which began operations today.

Dr Maryam said the ministry will also strengthen its anti-smoking clinic in Ras Al Khaimah by extending the hours and increasing staff, and attach anti-smoking departments to primary healthcare centres in all emirates to "seek out smokers and help them to quit."

This is really great! I've always found it extremely annoying and irritating having smokers smoke indoors in malls while I am eating. It?s a great thing that I will now be able to take a breath of "fresh-air" indoors! Thank you so very much!
Fatema
Sharjah,UAE

The people using Internet cafes will be very happy at this decision.
Vakkom
Dubai,UAE

Today I am so happy after reading this news. I am a smoker myself, so now I believe I will leave smoking. Thanks to government for taking this step
Raj
Bur Dubai,UAE

A big thumb's up to the Dubai government for taking such an initiative in banning public smoking. I would appreciate if they strictly ban tobacco as chewing of tobacco is cancerous. Most of the people young and old are suffering from various diseases as they regularly chew tobacco which is believed to relieve them of work pressure and depression but are unaware that it has direct effect on health. This will lead to tongue, month or lung cancer. This has also stained many places around Dubai.
Cedrick
Dubai,UAE

A very good decision taken by the Government, it will motivate me to quit my smoking habit.
Akbar
Dubai,UAE

It?s a very good decision, but what I want to suggest is that Govt has to ban smoking in all places. I hope UAE can be smoke-free country in the near future.
Fasiulla
Dubai,UAE

I appreciate the decision. Also if they can impose heavy fine on who throw cigarettes from running vehicles.
Thaya
Dubai,UAE

Dubai will be a fresh city from today!
Dave
Zhengzhou,China

It is a great step that the government of Dubai has taken to ban smoking in public area, many people have been waiting for this to happen.
James
Dubai,UAE

I congratulate the good decision taken by the UAE govt. This will help many innocent people?s health. If the govt. will take action against the smoking inside office, then it will also help so many people. I once more congratulate the UAE health minister for this courageous decision.
Aji
Kerala,India

A good first step. Anyhow, as a symbolic act today (on world's non-smoking day) it would set a sign if smoking would be prohibited at ALL places such as shopping malls, restaurants, food courts etc. The ignorance of smokers towards non-smokers specifically in food places in shopping malls is unacceptable and it would be appreciated that a smoking ban would be imposed from today onwards at least to the areas in shopping malls where food is served (food courts etc.)
Michael
Dubai,UAE

This firm step is appreciated. Go ahead.
Rohitha
Dubai,UAE

I very much like this good decision.
Habeeb
Madras,India

Everybody will breathe freely, especially in public places.
Claude
Dubai,UAE

I take my hat off to this initiative... It is one step in the right directionSince I moved to Dubai, it hurts me great deal when my kids have to inhale some one else?s smoke while they are in mall. With all respect to smokers and with recognition to their right of choice to smoke, I do feel that my choice of not smoking is very much violated when some one else smokes indoor and make me second hand smoker by default. I hope this regulation is enforced and everyone will abide with it. I came from Toronto (Canada) where people smoke outside malls and offices in 40 degree below, so would I see people in Dubai smoking outdoors where it is 40 degree above?
Mohamed
Dubai,UAE

Public places and now public departments. Hopefully Dubai can be smoking-free zone in the near future.
Riyazi
London,UK