Residents have welcomed the decision of Abu Dhabi Municipality to punish outlets which sell tobacco to minors, and hope stricter measures follow the move to discourage them from adopting the habit.

According to the decision on August 17, any shop, supermarket, grocery or commercial outlet caught selling any form of tobacco to anyone under the age of eighteen will be permanently shut down and fined by the government with no prior warning.

The municipality will take extreme measures against the offender. The shop will immediately be closed down and fined.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department, took the decision on the instructions of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.


Osman
In a Gulf News spot survey some people expressed their happiness on the municipality's decision. Yet others had their doubts if this would prove effective.

"It is one of the best measures ever taken in this regard and I frankly hope to soon see stricter measures being implemented on shisha shops and smoking centres," said Nadia Khalil, who wants her teenage son to get rid of this bad habit.

"I know that my son buys loose cigarettes from shops and supermarkets for a couple of dirhams," said Nadia, angry about the shopkeepers who regardless of her son's age think only about their profit.

"I know that my son goes to a shisha shop to smoke and I wish the authorities would take measures against them also." Nadia' sister, a heavy smoker, died of lung cancer a few years ago but this did not prevent her affectionate nephew from starting smoking.


Kashyap
"I believe this is because of his friends. I believe restrictions on shops and supermarkets selling tobacco will be a much effective tool."

Saleh Al Afifi, a non-smoker UAE national, said the municipality move is welcomed by all parents.

"I have a twenty-year-old son who is a heavy smoker. I cannot do anything more than warning him about the consequences. The ban will not affect him but maybe will help me prevent my other sons from approaching cigarette shops at least for some time."

Ahmed R.P., a Keralite living in Abu Dhabi, is also concerned about his children starting to smoke. He said he cannot quit the habit himself but tries not to smoke in front of his children. "I try not to present a bad example. I will do my best to prevent them from taking up smoking."


Nagalakshmi
Saeed Al Riami, a student at Al Ain University, said he has been working for three and a half months as a volunteer at the smoking cessation clinic in Abu Dhabi.

"Minors do not realise the dangers of smoking, therefore the ban can help prevent them from buying cigarettes. I have seen so many minors in this period and I believe the problem is really huge. I do not smoke myself but I know it is very easy to be attracted when you are young and irresponsible."

Although people support the municipality's move some of them doubt it will be really effective.

"Education is the best thing and I believe it can prove to be effective," said Mohammed Osman, a Sudanese national who once was a chain smoker.


Al Afifi
"I warn my daughters about the dangers of smoking and I myself am proud of the fact that I could quit. But I have to admit that I did it because of all the pressure I had on me from my family. I believe that family plays a fundamental role."

Nagalaksmi and Suresh Kashap believe the ban will not prevent children from getting cigarettes. "They can get them if they really want them through other ways," said Suresh. "I think that giving your children a good example is the best thing one can do and this is much more effective than any ban you impose," said Nagalaksmi, his wife.

George S.R., an Indian national, was also not sure about the effectiveness of the ban. "The ban will lead to nothing good. It will only affect the business of groceries and shops.

"Perhaps for a short while they will not sell cigarettes to teenagers but start once things relax a little. But the responsibility lies with the parents who do not look after their children and not the shops which sell them."