Shaikh Khalifa issues anti-tobacco law

Abu Dhabi: Violators of a stringent new anti-tobacco law announced on Wednesday face prison sentences of no less than two years and fines of up to Dh1 million, according to WAM.

The federal law, issued by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, restricts the sale and promotion of tobacco products in the country and bans coffee shops that offer tobacco products from doing business in residential buildings and neighbourhoods.

According to the law, issued to meet the UAE's obligations under the World Health Organisation's (WHO) framework convention, also bans the import of tobacco and its products unless the country's conditions and standard specifications are met, including clear warning statements and pictures on the packages. The country joined WTO convention in 2005.

Social interest

"The law comes in line with the framework of the procedures taken by the leadership to protect nationals and residents, enhance public health and fight social diseases and harmful habits such as smoking, which leads to the death of more than five million people every year according to the World Health Organisation," said Dr Hanif Hassan, the Minister of Health.

Hassan said the law aims to block the way for companies or individuals who try to encourage residents, especially the young generation, to smoke.

Shaikh Khalifa's new law bans the import of tobacco and its products unless the UAE conditions and standard specifications are met, including clear warning statements and pictures on the packages.

It also bans all forms of advertising, promotion or sponsorship for any tobacco products.

The law also bans smoking in public transport and closed public places. It further bans licensing coffee shops that serve any type of tobacco in residential buildings or residential areas or anywhere near them.

The law bans smoking while driving private cars in case a child below 12 years old is present.

Salient points
Other strong features of the law include the banning of:

* Sale of tobacco products to minors.
* Smoking in public transport and public places.
* Smoking in a vehicle with a child of up to 12 years in it.
* Smoking in houses of worship, educational institutions and health and sports facilities.
* The competent authorities may issue a licence to allow smoking in designated areas in closed public places under certain conditions.