MANAMA: A Bahraini lawmaker is calling on the Gulf Cooperation Council states to enforce a weekly ban on the sale of all tobacco products in the country’s malls and stores on Fridays.
The MP’s call coincides with World Anti-Smoking Day today. “We should adopt the Western practice where in some places stores ban the sale of such products on weekends. In Gulf countries, all malls and cold stores should stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products on Fridays,” said MP Jalal Fairooz.
Fairooz added that the aim is to gradually enforce a mandatory weekly ban on the sale of such products in the Kingdom. He said the move would encourage smokers to kick the habit.
“We are actually helping increasing numbers of smokers who are suffering from health complications. Even religious leaders could play a key role in educating youth to refrain from smoking and support our Friday ban on smoking,” the lawmaker stressed.
Health authorities are also backing the MP’s proposal and planning to soon launch an anti-smoking campaign targeting the youth.
“We are planning a strategy with scholars who will stop citizens from smoking during prayer breaks. In addition to this we are distributing brochures at community centers and youth associations highlighting the ill-effects of smoking,” a Health Ministry spokesperson said.
In 2007, Bahrain’s Health Ministry enforced a ban on smoking in malls and government offices in Bahrain.
