30 shisha shops, individuals fined 
for breaking hygiene rules

The inspectors also seized the shisha pipes from the shops that were found to be below standard.

Adil Ali Al Suwaid, Head of the Environmental and Public Health Department at RAK Municipality said the violators were caught during several inspection campaigns which were carried out by the municipal officials around the Corniche area and in other public places in Ras Al Khaimah.

He stressed that among the offences included, smoking of shisha in prohibited places along the Corniche area, littering, spitting and throwing of cigarette butts on the streets and in public places.

Health hazards

Smoking of shisha in public places was prohibited as it poses health hazards to other people who visit these areas but some owners of shisha shops have not been cooperative, said the official.

“Smoking of shisha in the Al Qawasim Corniche area, except in the shisha shops, invites a fine of Dh200 in addition to seizing of the shisha pipes.

Smoking of shisha is only allowed in the particular shops and anyone smoking it outside these shops across the emirate is violating the law,” said Al Suwaid in reference to the municipal Law No. 5 of 2010 which was issued in February to promote hygiene and cleanliness in the emirate.

Among other fines and violations that were stipulated in the new hygiene laws included a ban on throwing papers, cigarette butts or other forms of wastes or spitting through the vehicle windows on highways or in other public places and violators are slapped fines of Dh500 which double in case one repeats the violation.

Littering prohibited

The law also prohibited spitting and littering along the Al Qawasim Corniche Park and invites a fine of Dh100.

Littering public recreational facilities and parks in the emirate with wastes, especially after having meals is a violation according to the new municipal laws and invites a fine of Dh500.

The law also stipulated a fine of Dh1,000 for destroying public property and plants.

The law also imposes a fine of Dh500 on vendors and other traders operating in the open spaces for dumping and leaving wastes in their places of operation. 
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