A smoking ban in shopping malls, restaurants and indoor public places in Abu Dhabi and the Western Region is still under consideration, Dr. Juan bin Salim Al Dhahiri, Chairman of Municipal Affairs Department in Abu Dhabi, has told Khaleej Times.
At a meeting with the managers of shopping centres, Al Dhahiri said it had been agreed to study the issue so as not to affect the turnout of members of the public to these facilities.
'Further, a comprehensive study is imperative before the ban takes effect as the prime goal is to serve public interest,' he maintained.
He, however, affirmed that a smoking ban in public places and shopping malls in Al Ain will take effect on April 15.
'We will follow up and monitor consequences of the resolution on all sides so as to determine whether or not to make a public announcement concerning the emirate of Abu Dhabi,' he added.
Meanwhile, a large segment of Abu Dhabi residents and officials told Khaleej Times that they were in favour of the proposed smoking ban in shopping malls and public places in the capital.
'We hope the smoking ban comes into effect in the emirate soon,' a resident said while hailing the move as very important in the interest of public health.
Eng. Omar Al Hashemi, Head of Municipal Services, hailed the move as 'very important,' since the protection of public health is a top priority for the government. He hoped the resolution will see the light of the day very soon.
Mohammed Shams Al Ala, a manager in a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, said, 'What is important is the opinion of the public as the prime concern of shopping centres is that the resolution should not keep mall-goers away as this will dampen commercial gains.
Dr. Abdul Ghafar Abdul Gufour, Health Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Preventive Medicine, has called for acceleration of the process of enforcing the ban in enclosed places.
'The ban will the protect smokers themselves and help them to think of quitting the bad habit and sparing their bodies of 25 killer diseases including mouth, throat, lung, renal, bladder, pancreas and pharynx cancers in addition to cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Non-smokers are also vulnerable to these chronic ills,' he said.
Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, he said four million people die each year of diseases associated or caused by smoking, a figure exceeding the victims of the nuclear explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during the World War II which were estimated at 250,000.
The Secretary-General of Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Majed Al Mansouri, said tobacco smoking is one of the most harmful source of environment pollution as it contains more than 4,000 poisonous gases and particles.
'Smoking also pollutes the environment and so do the wastes produced by packs, cigarette butts and matches. Smoking increases maintenance costs of ventilation systems. Most fires were caused by littering of cigarettes butts. We are in favour of the ban in enclosed places for the safety of human lives and the environment,' he added.
Mohammed Al Sayed, a father, said his children always suffer from chest probnlems as they frequent shopping malls. 'Now, I do not take them to these places when I go with my wife for shopping,' he added.
Afra Khaled, a UAE national, said the cigarette smell on my clothes is unbearable due to the smoke from cigarettes at shopping malls. She called for imposition of the ban without any delay.
At a meeting with the managers of shopping centres, Al Dhahiri said it had been agreed to study the issue so as not to affect the turnout of members of the public to these facilities.
'Further, a comprehensive study is imperative before the ban takes effect as the prime goal is to serve public interest,' he maintained.
He, however, affirmed that a smoking ban in public places and shopping malls in Al Ain will take effect on April 15.
'We will follow up and monitor consequences of the resolution on all sides so as to determine whether or not to make a public announcement concerning the emirate of Abu Dhabi,' he added.
Meanwhile, a large segment of Abu Dhabi residents and officials told Khaleej Times that they were in favour of the proposed smoking ban in shopping malls and public places in the capital.
'We hope the smoking ban comes into effect in the emirate soon,' a resident said while hailing the move as very important in the interest of public health.
Eng. Omar Al Hashemi, Head of Municipal Services, hailed the move as 'very important,' since the protection of public health is a top priority for the government. He hoped the resolution will see the light of the day very soon.
Mohammed Shams Al Ala, a manager in a shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, said, 'What is important is the opinion of the public as the prime concern of shopping centres is that the resolution should not keep mall-goers away as this will dampen commercial gains.
Dr. Abdul Ghafar Abdul Gufour, Health Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Preventive Medicine, has called for acceleration of the process of enforcing the ban in enclosed places.
'The ban will the protect smokers themselves and help them to think of quitting the bad habit and sparing their bodies of 25 killer diseases including mouth, throat, lung, renal, bladder, pancreas and pharynx cancers in addition to cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Non-smokers are also vulnerable to these chronic ills,' he said.
Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, he said four million people die each year of diseases associated or caused by smoking, a figure exceeding the victims of the nuclear explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during the World War II which were estimated at 250,000.
The Secretary-General of Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Majed Al Mansouri, said tobacco smoking is one of the most harmful source of environment pollution as it contains more than 4,000 poisonous gases and particles.
'Smoking also pollutes the environment and so do the wastes produced by packs, cigarette butts and matches. Smoking increases maintenance costs of ventilation systems. Most fires were caused by littering of cigarettes butts. We are in favour of the ban in enclosed places for the safety of human lives and the environment,' he added.
Mohammed Al Sayed, a father, said his children always suffer from chest probnlems as they frequent shopping malls. 'Now, I do not take them to these places when I go with my wife for shopping,' he added.
Afra Khaled, a UAE national, said the cigarette smell on my clothes is unbearable due to the smoke from cigarettes at shopping malls. She called for imposition of the ban without any delay.
1 comment:
hope they will apply it soon, just like dubai
www.abudhabiliving.net
Post a Comment