DUBAI, 30 May 2007 — A ban on smoking in schools, educational organizations, hair salons, health clubs, Internet cafes, food courts and offices will go into effect tomorrow, a top Dubai municipality official said yesterday.
“We will mark ‘World No Tobacco Day’ tomorrow with a ceremony at Dubai Festival City’s Waterfront. We have drawn up a timetable to implement the program. It will be formally announced tomorrow with a ban on smoking in government departments and other public establishments, following which a massive media campaign will be undertaken in order to educate the public on the decision,” said Hussain Nasser Lootah, acting director general of Dubai municipality.
Smoking will be regulated in shopping malls and amusement centers as well, the officials added.
“From the year 2008 onward, fines will be imposed on violators according to the Local Order No. 11 of 2003 pertaining to public health and environment,” said Lootah.
He said the move follows a decision by the Executive Council of Dubai, which recently reviewed a proposal by Dubai municipality in this regard and decided to issue a law regulating smoking in public places.
He said the municipality’s decision also comes in line with the Dubai Strategic Plan (2007-2015), which seeks to protect public health and improve quality of life for nationals and expatriates residing in Dubai.
