Democracy transition should be within a year and a half, says General Zaman
world18 hours ago
Among others, specifications of the proposed license also bar groceries and hypermarkets from displaying tobacco products openly.
The decision, applicable in all GCC states, is part of the final recommendations made by the GCC Committee for Tobacco Control in a recently held meeting in Dubai.
The recommendations are expected to be forwarded to Ministries of Economy in the GCC for review.
Dr Wedad Maidoor, head of the UAE National Committee for Tobacco Control at the MoH, said the unanimous decision by all GCC representatives was taken so as to regulate sale of tobacco in groceries and hypermarkets.
The outlets will also be required to fix a specific place for tobacco products and not to sell them to teenagers or children.
“The proposal is based on the Singapore model which has showed considerable reduction in tobacco use due to tough regulations on sale,” she explained. The proposal will be put forward to the Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Quttami, who will then forward it to the Ministry of Economy for further study and implementation.
“The MoE will study the implications of the proposal and can, in fact, benefit from the income,” she added.
On the first day of the meeting, the committee proposed a 200 per cent tax on tobacco and its products in a bid to deter smokers. The committee also finalised the packaging details including use of pictures. The committee also decided to take up 50 per cent of the packaging area for written warnings to be both in English and Arabic.
“The warnings will not say that the product contains tar, but will specify that it is a carcinogenic and a toxic product,” she explained.
The committee also decided to strictly implement strategies to safeguard the youth from tobacco use.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
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