Taylor Scott International News
Anti-tobacco law to come into effect on January 21 Staff Reporter / 22 September 2013 The Dubai Municipality has issued a comprehensive guide book to ensure the implementation of the executive regulations of the anti-tobacco federal law with only four months left for businesses to comply. The executive regulations were approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in the Cabinet’s Resolution No.24 issued on July 21 this year, and will come into effect on January 21. In the run up to the deadline, the Dubai Municipality has begun a campaign. Assistant Director-General for Environment and Public Health and Safety Salem bin Mesmar told Khaleej Times that the civic body was “giving chance to people to know about the rules and will run campaigns to spread awareness to avoid hefty fines awaiting violators”. Cafés and sheesha joints will lose their licences if they allow customers to smoke in closed areas. “In addition, these establishments will not be permitted to open in residential areas without having a distance of 150 metres from houses, schools and mosques,” said the Head of Public Safety Section at the Public Health and Safety Department Sultan Al Suwaidi. “Smoking will not be allowed in any restaurant built in less than 1,000 square feet and it will be completely prohibited at entrances, in corridors, lifts, elevators, health facilities, entertainment or gaming areas, offices, cinema halls, meeting and conference halls, warehouses of shopping centres, canteens, places of prayer and ablution, areas of employees and rest rooms.” Smoking places in restaurants should not exceed 50 per cent of the dining area and non-smokers should not cross them. Additionally, each smoker should be given 20 square feet of space to avoid congestion. “The doors should be automatic and (the) sheesha preparing area must be separated from (the) food preparation area,” Suwaidi said. The working hours of cafés and sheesha shops will be from 10am to 12.30am. They are not allowed to sell tobacco products to those under 18 years or deliver them to unauthorised places. sajila@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International
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