Insurance linked to anti-smoking law

Dubai: The upcoming federal health insurance sheme may add premium costs to smokers as part of the UAE's tobacco control strategy, expected by the end of the year.

The Ministry of Health is working on a federal health insurance scheme that will replace the health card system, applying it to all UAE residents in the Northern Emirates and to federal government employees. Abu Dhabi has its own mandatory health insurance scheme, implemented last year, and Dubai is also working on its own version.

Dr Mariam Mattar, assistant undersecretary for primary healthcare and public health at the ministry, told Gulf News that the insurance law would be connected to anti-tobacco legislation that is currently being discussed.

"We are considering allying the anti-tobacco law with the federal health insurance law with regard to coverage for smoke-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, meaning smokers may have to pay more premium," she said.

In doing so, the ministry would follow the examples of many countries, including the US, which increase premium costs for smokers versus non-smokers.

Draft

Dr Mariam also said that the draft anti-tobacco law would include advertising, and labels on smoking packs, as well as public smoking bans, which is left to local governments to adapt and enforce.

"It gives flexibility to each emirate to adapt the law. But it will have standardisation of policies to protect the public, such as smoking in shopping malls. Shopping malls can either implement a blanket ban or they can create an area for smokers," she said.

She said the law also required all anti-smoking clinics and practitioners, including those that use alternative methods to help quit smoking such as hypnosis and acupuncture, to be licensed by medical licensing bodies.

Another provision is the setting up of a youth-health department, in which the ministry would set up anti-smoking clinics in colleges and higher institutes of learning.

Dr Mariam spoke to the press after attending the Health Ministry events marking World No Tobacco Day. Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health, reminded the public that tobacco control efforts were not only the responsibility of the ministry, but also of the community.

He also lauded Dubai's decision to begin regulating smoking in public areas in phases.

I am happy to learn about this new insurance scheme. I am sure that when it is implemented it will deter people from smoking.
Javed
Dubai,UAE