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Residents ready for anti-tobacco law
Despite admitting ignorance about the details of the week-old federal Anti-Tobacco Law, the general public seems to be ready to follow the rules.
On January 7, the UAE government passed the Anti-Tobacco Law that made consumption of tobacco and its products tougher for residents. The law has also stipulated penalties, which include longer jail terms and heftier fines, for violators.
Several public places in the UAE, including shopping malls, universities and government departments, are already following the curbs even before the law came into effect.
“Even without a legislation, we managed to implement such policies in universities, government offices and hospitals,” said Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, Head of the National Tobacco Control Committee.
According to the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2009 report released in December 2009, the UAE is among the eight countries in the region that has made progress in tobacco control by implementing a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertisement even without legislations.
To further deter smokers, the government is also proposing a health tax on cigarettes which may make smoking costlier. Several residents Khaleej Times spoke with also admitted that they were following certain rules even before the law made them compulsory.
“People should follow rules even without the fear of fines,” said Khaldoun Ayed who has been smoking for the past 21 years.
Ayed said he is aware of the new law but any price increase would not help smokers quit.
“Those who smoke will continue. I plan quitting but not due to the price factor but because it is affecting my health,” he said.
Citing similar health concerns, Egyptian Madhat Rafat, who has been smoking for the past 12 years, said he too is ready to quit.
“I am not aware of the law and its details but my advice to people is to stop smoking not only due to monetary reasons but due to health factors,” he added. For non-smoker Emishaw Asferi, the law means good news. “This law is very important because it will help protect us from second-hand smoke. People will not stop smoking until they are forced to,” said the Ethiopian national who claims he has never smoked in his life. Likewise, non-smoker Filipina Claire Garcia feels the law will definitely make a difference.
“I know that smoking is banned indoors in malls and other similar places. I am not aware of the penalties for smokers, but I am very sure once everyone knows about the law and follows its strictly, it will make a difference to everyone’s lives,” she added.
However, Sri Lankan national Shanika G. who has been smoking for the past eight years says that she might just not give up smoking yet despite knowing that it is bad for her health.
“I want to quit but I cannot,” she says, adding that she will follow rules as stipulated in the law.
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