Al Ain bans smoking in malls, restaurants

Awad bin Hasoum Al Darmaky, Director-General of the municipality, said yesterday that the ban would be enforced from April 15.

Al Darmaky said the move is in line with the national campaign against smoking which is the main cause of several diseases.

He highlighted that the Public Health Administration, which is part of the Al Ain Municipality, will organise inspection campaigns to ensure that the decision will be enforced.

Al Darmaky said all malls, shopping centres, restaurants and all enclosed public facilities will be no-smoking zones.

Violators of the ban would face stiff penalties, he added.

The regulation is aimed at assisting people who want to quit smoking by creating a helpful environment for them and the passive smokers who suffer due to the bad habit of others.

It may be mentioned that the Al Ain Municipality had already banned smoking in the offices of its departments. The ban came into effect on April 1, 2007.