Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Parks to be no smoking areas.

Reports today quote the Acting Director of Dubai Municipality's Public Health Department as saying that the ban on smoking will be extended to public parks.

A ban on open air smoking. Could that be another world-first for Dubai?

The reasoning is that there are many family areas, including children's playgrounds, swimming pools and beaches.

It's an interesting one isn't it, bound to generate some heated discussion.

I'm going to stay well away from commenting...

Gulf News have a report here.

9 comments:

Abdullah Ali said...

They are kinda taking it to the extreme, don't you think?

It's true that smoking is bad all but don't people have the right to make that choice? And especially if it's in open air where nobody would get bother.

Anonymous said...

In Singapore some golf courses have banned smoking (apart from designated areas) so its not a world first. It does beg the question: "Who is going to police this?" Perhaps a more moderate approach with smoke-free areas would be more practical.

Anonymous said...

Many sports arenas in the USA are smoke-free despite being in the open air.

Abdullah Ali said...

Sport arenas are understandable because you have seats that are all close to each other so the person close to you may be bothered. But parks? I dunno...

Em said...

Smokers will smoke where they want to. I see all the people in the office crowded around a bin like the homeless and puffing away at 50C....sad but true.

Anonymous said...

An extreme measure designed to divert attention from more pressing issues here in Dubai....

Anonymous said...

hi. just found your blog and find it interesting... loved the traffic photos. in New York City smoking is not allowed on children's playgrounds. As a mother of two young kids, I LOVE IT. Just because you're outside, doesn't mean the smoke doesn't bother others. And I don't want my kids (or myself) breathing in other people's smoke. yuck.

Abdullah Ali said...

Hey Rachel,

I am sure that was partly meant for me :p

I get what you are saying. You said "children playground" but they said all public parks. Meaning, with children or without. And let me tell you, these parks are big.

I see where you are coming from but this is a public park for everyone and not only children. Don't they have the right to smoke if they want to?

Again, not defending smokers but defending people's right to make their own choices.

Seabee said...

Hi Rachel, welcome to Life in Dubai.