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Ban on smoking will cover workplace too

At a meeting organised by Novaritis Consumer Health as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme (CSR), an announcement was made on behalf of the Minister for Health, Abdul Rehman Al Midfaa, by Dr Abdul Ghaffar Al Hawi that the UAE had joined the convention of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on November 30, 2005, to combat consumption of tobacco.

The function was attended by a large number of managers and executives and was part of an initiative to explain the importance of a healthy environment and clean air for employees at government institutions.

"Following the decision to join the WHO convention, the UAE will move to protect the life and future of the people of this land to live in prosperity and safety," Dr Al Hawi said, adding that a strategy will be worked out and implemented by early next year to implement the ban even in public places and offices.

It was also learnt at the meeting that every month, 50 people quit smoking at the Dubai Municipality under the programme.

Dr Al Hawi said that for this reason, the ministry, under the Department of Preventive Medicine, had set up seven units to help people quit smoking in all parts of the UAE.

Earlier, Dr Al Hawi, who read out the health minister's speech, said: "This highlights the wisdom of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his brothers, the Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates in protecting the life and future of the people of this land and their keen interest to provide the highest degree of protection to enable people to live in prosperity and safety."

The minister's speech went on to say: "The convention also embodies the experiences of many countries which proved the feasibility of economic and health measures in curbing the consumption of tobacco and reducing the rates of diseases associated with it as well as the number of death cases. We can mention for instance, the taxation policies, the ban on tobacco sales to anyone under 18, the ban on tobacco advertisement and promotion and the ban on smoking in public places, entertainment facilities and workplaces."

Following the speech, Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Category Marketing Manager, Nicotinell, discussed the importance of corporate social responsibility programme for Nicotinell.

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