Smoking alert: Horrific pictures on packs

Gory pictures that highlight the hazards of smoking will be plastered on every cigarette pack sold in the GCC states, a top health official has told XPRESS.

The pictures will have images of diseased gums and blackened lungs next to a set of healthy lungs. "Both sides of the packet will have a horrific picture that shows the effects of smoking," said Dr Wedad Al Maidour, Head of the National Tobacco Control Committee. By the end of 2009, no cigarette pack will be pleasing to look at. The pictures will compel smokers to think of the health complications of smoking."

* What would encourage you to give up smoking? Vote in our poll.

Every country in the GCC will design its own set of pictures.

The UAE will select a total of 10 pictures. "Manufacturers will be compelled to follow the instructions of the GCC specification on tobacco control. The amount of harmful chemicals will have to be mentioned." Al Maidour said this shock tactic will encourage people to stub out the habit.

Countries such as Canada, Thailand, Hong Kong, Brazil, Australia and EU nations have adopted these practices.

TOUGH REGULATIONS

"All the emirates will have to regulate the use of tobacco products including shisha and midwakh (pipe) once the federal anti-tobacco law is enforced by July 2008. In Dubai, shisha and midwakh will be regulated and controlled in all public places," said Al Maidour.

They include malls, cinemas and even bars and restaurants. Dr Salah Al Badawi, Public Health Adviser, Ministry of Health, said: "Only indoor places will be allowed to provide shisha. Anyone below 18 years will be banned from entering these places." As far as midwakh is concerned, the committee is still working on how to implement the ban.

Al Maidour said the tobacco regulation is in line with the federal law that is in accordance with the World Health Organisation and Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.

PRICE HIKE

The National Tobacco Control Committee is planning to raise the price of cigarettes. Al Badawi said countries that have made cigarette smoking expensive have seen a drop in the smoking rate.

2007 Smoking ban timeline

The three-phase municipality ban on public smoking

• Phase one: May 31, 2007: Smoking banned at all government facilities and public places
• Phase two: September 15, 2007: Smoking banned in public areas of malls and shopping centres, coffee shops and restaurants in the emirate
• Phase three: November 15, 2007: Smoking banned in school premises, workplaces, food courts, internet cafés and health clubs

Picture and caption contest

Each country in the GCC has to create its own pictures and captions for the cigarette packets. The UAE Ministry of Health is in the process of allowing the public to take part in the initiative.

"We want people to send us their captions and pictures on smoking hazards. We will put the best of the lot on cigarette packets across the UAE," said Al Maidour. The contest is likely to begin in March and end on May 31 – World No-Tobacco Day. "We would like people to keep our culture in mind while designing the cover for cigarette packets."