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Age Limit for Tobacco Sale Likely to be Increased to 20

While announcing details of the National Anti-Tobacco Law that has already come into force, a senior health official said that though the law has set the minimum age limit for sale of tobacco products at 18, it was likely that the limit will be changed in future to 20 as is being followed by Dubai.

“Though the age has been set at 18, we prefer 20 and we may push for a change in the future,” said Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, Head of the National Tobacco Control Committee at the health ministry.

Officials also said that as per the law, cafes or restaurants offering shisha had been given two years from now to shift from residential areas.

“The law has been announced but we are still detailing the by-laws and will announce health policies in this regard soon,” said Salem Al Darmaki, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Health.

Al Darmaki also said that all private companies will also be required to provide smoking rooms to their employees. “Different authorities will be mobilised soon to enforce the law,” he said.

Nearly all countries in the GCC, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Yemen have similar laws except Saudi Arabia that has a tobacco control programme.

Egypt, Jordan and Syria are expected to come up with similar laws soon.

The ministry is also planning intensive educational campaigns regarding the implementation of the law. “The ministry will continue carrying out activities and awareness programmes to publicise the harm of tobacco, while explaining the law and its regulations,” said Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Executive Director of Health Policies at the ministry.

Quoting statistics from a health survey held in 2003, Dr Fikri said that

24 per cent people in the country die to cardiovascular disease caused by tobacco.

Al Darmaki said that currently, 10,330 people were registered in the six smoking cessation clinics affiliated to the ministry while several had already quit the habit after registering.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

AT A GLANCE

Penalties

· Those smoking in public places, public transport or in a car with children under 12 will be slapped with an on spot fine of Dh500

· If the fine is not settled on the spot, the case will be referred to the criminal court and the violator will be liable to pay a fine of not less than Dh3,000 and not more than Dh10,000

· Individuals/companies that import tobacco products without graphic warnings, will be served a jail term of up to a year and fined up to Dh100,000 and not more than Dh1,000,000. In case of repetition, the jail term will be two years and a fine of Dh1,000,000 will be imposed

· If imported or locally manufactured tobacco products are not in compliance with the UAE set standards, they will be destroyed immediately while a fine of not less than Dh50,000 and up to Dh200,000 will be levied. If the offence is repeated, a jail term of one year and a fine of Dh200,000 will be levied

· Sale of tobacco to less than 18-year-olds, tobacco cultivation for commercial purposes, import of candy, and games that are similar to tobacco/tobacco products will also entail a jail term of up to a year and a fine of up to Dh1,000,000. Repeat offence will double the jail term and fine

· In case of advertisement of tobacco products, the company/individual will be convicted, publicity materials seized and the facility will be closed

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