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Anti-tobacco bylaws’ draft by month-end

DUBAI — The first draft of the anti-tobacco bylaws, detailing the ways of implementing the articles of the federal law, will be ready by the end of this month.

The draft of bylaws will explain how 25 articles in the federal law on areas like tobacco advertising, protection from forced exposure to smoke, tobacco cultivation and so on, will be regulated and implemented, said Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the National Tobacco Control Committee.

“The draft law will also be put forward to the World Health Organisation before it is handed over to the minister and finally to the cabinet for approval,” she said. The first meeting of the committee appointed to draft the executive bylaws was held at the Ministry of Health recently. Chaired by Minister of Health Dr Hanif Hassan, the meeting discussed a number of issues.

“The UAE gives great concern to health policies and works on developing them according to the requirements and demands of modern times. Such policies would definitely have a direct impact on health practices, medical standards in order to raise the health sector and provide quality healthcare services,” said the minister.

“Tobacco consumption in the region has been an economic, social and health burden for more than 50 years due to the rapid spread of smoking and other habits such as shisha and the electronic cigarette,” said Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Executive Director of Health Policies at the ministry.

Among the articles that will be regulated include providing maximum protection from forced exposure to smoke such as protection of minors and young children from smoking, and prohibiting smoking inside vehicles for children under 12 years. Other articles include prohibition of smoking in closed areas and smoking in public areas.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com