health authority moots smoking buffer zones

There should be a clear distance of not less than 150 metres between residential areas and cafes that sell cigarettes or permit shisha and midwakh smoking in their premises. "The proposal has been sent to the Abu Dhabi Executive Council by the Tobacco Control Task Force (TCTF) as per Federal Law on Tobacco Control number 15/2009 which expires on December 21st 2011. It is up to the executive council when the smoke-free regulations will be enforced," Dr Saleem Adib, public health and research department manager at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) told Gulf News. The TCTF is working together to enforce and implement smoke-free regulations across the emirate, through controlling and monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from tobacco smoke, helping smokers quit, issuing warnings on tobacco risks, and implementing a ban on tobacco advertisements. The initiative, titled — ‘Abu Dhabi says no to smoking' — involves, besides HAAD, the Islamic Affairs Authority, AD Media, AD Educational Council, AD Sports Council, AD City Municipality, AD Food Control Authority (ADFCA), Department of Economic Development, Takatof Voluntary Social Programme, Community Police, and the Environment Agency. Article continues below Grace period Cafes, shops and individuals have been given a grace period of six months to abide by smoke-free regulations across the emirate, members representing the TCTF announced at a press conference held yesterday. As per the federal law on tobacco control, the following acts pertaining to smoking are prohibited by law: smoking in private cars when there is a passenger under the age of 12 years; selling tobacco or its product to persons who do not exceed 18 years of age (the seller has the right to ask the purchaser to provide evidence that he/she is of legal age); smoking in places of worship, universities, schools, health and sports facilities; selling and importing sweets and games that resemble tobacco and its products; planting and/or trafficking tobacco for commercial purposes. Those flouting any of these regulations could invite penalties ranging from Dh3,000 to Dh10,000 and risk being referred to the criminal court. Fines for smoking in public places and selling tobacco to individuals below 18 years however, range from Dh500 to Dh10,000. A fine on tobacco advertisements ranges from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. When Gulf News asked if cigarette prices were expected to be hiked anytime soon, a reliable source from TCTF confirmed that a proposal has been sent to the executive council to raise the price of cigarettes. TCTF representatives were, however, unclear on how smoking in Ramadan tents will be regulated this year.