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Health Official Calls for Ban on Shishas in Ramadan Tents

The warning comes after anti-smoking coordinators in the other Gulf countries called for a similar ban last week. A complete ban on shisha, however, has been ruled out for cultural reasons.

Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, Head of the National Tobacco Control Committee at the Ministry of Health, reiterated her support to the recent regulations on shisha and Ramadan tents put in place by the Dubai Municipality.

“Ramadan in the emirates is associated with tents. It is a place where people, especially families, socialise, play traditional games and enjoy food. But it is also a place where shisha is served in huge amounts in an enclosed space.

“This is highly dangerous not only for the smokers but also non-smokers who are exposed to the smoke, especially children,” she said.

According to the World Health Organisation, smoking shisha is more dangerous than cigarettes because people sit for hours to smoke the pipes.

“Some smokers think shisha is less harmful as compared to cigarettes, cigars and pipes but studies show that it is more harmful. Smoking an entire shisha equals smoking 55 cigarettes,” Dr Wedad explained.

The UAE Anti-Tobacco Law is expected to be in place by early next year. However, the Dubai Municipality has already started enforcing it by banning smoking in the malls and shopping areas.

Under the law, cafes will either have to serve shisha within closed walls or relocate from residential areas. In Dubai, only four- and five-star hotels are allowed to serve shisha during Ramadan and, that too, under strict watch.

These regulations, however, do not extend to Ramadan tents in other emirates. Though hotels have to provide a layout of the proposed smoking area in the tents, people say that the air-conditioning and ventilation systems are not adequate.

· asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE