RAK bans smoking in enclosed public places

Designated smoking rooms will be set aside in hotels and shopping malls.

Ras Al Khaimah // Smoking in all enclosed public places has been banned with immediate effect in Ras al Khaimah. The municipality has joined other emirates in outlawing smoking in hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, sports halls and salons. People who ignore the ban can expect strict enforcement. Mubarak al Shamsi, the municipality's chairman, said the move was intended to protect the health of people who do not smoke.

"Non-smokers, including children visiting public places, especially the shopping malls... are being affected by the smoke," he said. "It is very dangerous to their lives." Designated smoking rooms will be set aside in hotels and shopping malls. Mr Shamsi said the rules would be strictly enforced. Businesses that ignore them could be shut down and face fines of more than Dh5,000 (US$1,350). Abu Dhabi announced earlier this year it was to phase in antismoking regulations, with a ban expected to be introduced later this month. In anticipation of the new rules, malls in the capital have already imposed restrictions on smoking.

Dubai began phasing out smoking in public places last year, banning it in public offices, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas and hotels. Owners of internet cafes and billiard halls must obtain a special licence to allow customers to smoke indoors. In Sharjah, smoking is banned in malls. Lighting up shisha pipes or midwakh - Arabic pipes - in public is also outlawed. Fujairah banned smoking in closed public areas earlier this year, and Ajman introduced a no-smoking policy in malls and closed marketplaces last year.

The Federal National Council is expected to implement a federal smoking law by the end of the year. A 2002 World Health Organisation (WHO) study found the Middle East more tolerant of smoking than most other regions, and the Ministry of Health figures indicate that 48 per cent of the population smoke. The ministry recently set up antismoking clinics to help people break the habit and deter young people from starting. WHO estimates 10 per cent of UAE teenagers aged 14 and 15 smoke.

In July, the Saudi Arabia-based Arab Health Council announced that all cigarette packets on sale in GCC countries would be required to carry graphic photographs to illustrate smoking-related diseases. The images of mouth and throat cancer, rotting teeth and blackened lungs will accompany antismoking messages. [e-mail] [e-mail]