Health watch: No-smoking zone

Smokers in the UAE will be fined between Dh500 and Dh1,000 if they light up a cigarette in a no-smoking zone once the National Tobacco Control Law comes into effect later this month.

The federal law has been cleared by the Ministry of Justice and is awaiting approval from higher government authorities, a top health official said.

The aim is to ban smoking in all enclosed public areas in the UAE. "We are committed to protect public health and prevent harmful effects of second-hand smoking. Hence, all enclosed public places must be smoke-free," said Dr Wedad Al Maidour, Head of the Anti-Smoking Committee of the Ministry of Health. This means all restaurants, malls, beverage outlets and public transport systems will fall under the law. Every enclosed place will have to have a ‘designated smoking room’. However, hospitals, educational and religious institutions will not be allowed to have designated smoking areas, said Al Maidour.

Many coffee shops and restaurants divide their areas into two zones – smoking and non-smoking. But this will not be allowed, Al Maidour said, "They will have to provide an enclosed room."

Companies that do not follow these rules will be fined between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000. "Shisha cafés in residential buildings will have to move out." The penalty for shisha cafés that flout laws will be fined between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000.

Shops displaying cigarettes at cash counters will pay a fine of Dh10,000. "There has to be a specific area," said Al Maidour.

Fast facts

• Shops displaying cigarettes at cash counters will pay a fine of Dh10,000
• Companies that do not follow the rules will be fined between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000
• The penalty for shisha cafés that flout laws will be between Dh50,000 and Dh200,000
• The GCC has already approved a decision to increase tax on cigarettes by 150 per cent and on tobacco by 100 per cent

Did you know?

In the second phase of the National Tobacco Control law, the ministry may fine people who smoke with children inside their cars.