DUBAI, 1 June 2008 — The emirate of Dubai yesterday banned the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 20 with immediate effect and barred young people from public areas in which smoking is allowed.
The announcement was made in public advertisements in Arabic-language newspapers as part of a “Youth Without Tobacco” campaign.
A spokesman for Dubai municipality said cigarette vendors and managers of public places such as cafes and restaurants have been instructed to ask clients for proof of identity even to smoke water pipes. Those breaking the law would be fined, he said without elaborating.
Before yesterday’s ban the sale of cigarettes in Dubai was prohibited to anyone under 18 and smokers were not allowed to light up in public places including hotels, restaurants, cafes and offices.
Dubai is a regional tourism and business hub that attracts millions of visitors each year.
