25-feet barrier for smokers

Smokers will have to walk at least 25-feet away from public places, including shopping malls, offices and any other closed place in order to smoke and not put the lives of others at risk, a senior health official said.

However, shisha cafes, though governed by stringent regulations and allowed to operate only if away from residential areas, will not be covered under the executive by-laws.

“We have agreed to a total ban on smoking as per the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO),” said Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the National Tobacco Control Committee who hopes the legislation can be approved by September.

The national law announced earlier this year only partially banned smoking in public by allowing well-ventilated designated areas inside all buildings except for places of worship, educational institutions, and health and sports facilities besides cultural venues.

However, health officials disagreed on this provision in the law saying the ban could not be effective until smoking was completely prohibited in public places and pushed for a complete ban through the executive by-laws.

Details of how and when the law will be enforced and implemented were also drafted during a two-day workshop attended by officials from the WHO and several others from concerned authorities in the UAE. However, the by-laws will be enforced only after approval from higher authorities.

Also covered under the draft by-laws are a complete ban on tobacco advertisement, cultivation and the display 
of cigarettes.

— asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE