Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, executive director of Health Policies, MoH, specified that from Wednesday, the anti-tobacco law, which was issued last week by UAE president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will come into effect.

A time span of two years have been provided to Cafes and restaurants located in residential neighborhoods to either move or ban smoking. while for non-residential outlets, designated smoking areas will be allowed.

Dr. Fikri explained that the members from all the authorities concerned such as the ministries of health, economy, environment, education and interior would be drawn by a new national anti- tobacco committee.

He told, “The MoH's Health Policies sector will start drafting the executive regulations of the law in coordination with other stakeholders within the next few months. The regulations will be raised to the federal cabinet for consideration and issuance soon.”

He added further that members of the public would be educated by an anti-tobacco team at the MoH about the health risks associated with smoking and the new law and its provisions.

Tobacco, as per the legislation, cannot be grown for commercial use, and tobacco products cannot be imported or sold without warnings on the packaging.

Apart from this, legislations also bans importing or selling of candies and toys that look like tobacco products, publishing promotional material that urge people to smoke, or advertise tobacco products.

“Selling cigarettes to anyone under 18 is also illegal, as is smoking in cars carrying children under 12 while inspectors will have the power to initiate legal action that could result in fines and/or jail terms,” Dr. Fikri added.