I've been surprised that the ban on smoking in places like shopping malls and restaurants has been obeyed by just about everyone.
Now there's a new federal law that extends the ban to include public transport and public places(a bit vague that one) houses of worship, educational institutions and health and sports facilities.
There's one more - a ban on smoking in a vehicle with a child of up to 12 years in it.
For a bad example to children and for the damage to their health that's about the worst place to smoke. But I think it's going to be a difficult one to enforce.
Gulf News has the story here.
Showing posts with label smoking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smoking. Show all posts
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Thursday, December 25, 2008
No outdoor smoking
I posted back in August about the proposed ban on outdoor smoking in public parks.
It looks as though it's happening in a serious way because walking through the gardens of Media City the other day I came across a smokers' cabin...
It looks as though it's happening in a serious way because walking through the gardens of Media City the other day I came across a smokers' cabin...
An outdoor area beside the lake in a commercial zone, not a place where families with children would be likely to congregate, yet there's a cabin almost ready for smokers to crowd into for their nicotine fix.
I find it very strange.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
They are serious!
I said yesterday "they seem to be serious about the smoking ban" and I went on to list the fines for non-compliance that had been announced by Dubai Municipality.
For a first offence of smoking in a non-smoking area the fine was to be Dh500.
Today the news is that it will be a whopping Dh1,000 for a first offence.
That's what Salem Bin Mesmar, Director of the Public Health Department at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News. He said proposals had been sent to the legal department to revise the original fines and they may now range from Dh1,000 up to Dh8,000 for individuals and from Dh10,000 up to Dh80,000 for establishments ignoring the new regulations.
He went on to say that the idea was not to impose fines but to get society to accept the new laws. I'll go along with that - if it was a fifty or hundred dirham fine it would be ignored, just as the laughably low road offence fines are.
But with a thousand dirhams fine hanging over you for a first offence - and maybe eight thousand for repeat offenders - you're sure gonna think about obeying the law.
That's good thinking from the Municipality.
For a first offence of smoking in a non-smoking area the fine was to be Dh500.
Today the news is that it will be a whopping Dh1,000 for a first offence.
That's what Salem Bin Mesmar, Director of the Public Health Department at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News. He said proposals had been sent to the legal department to revise the original fines and they may now range from Dh1,000 up to Dh8,000 for individuals and from Dh10,000 up to Dh80,000 for establishments ignoring the new regulations.
He went on to say that the idea was not to impose fines but to get society to accept the new laws. I'll go along with that - if it was a fifty or hundred dirham fine it would be ignored, just as the laughably low road offence fines are.
But with a thousand dirhams fine hanging over you for a first offence - and maybe eight thousand for repeat offenders - you're sure gonna think about obeying the law.
That's good thinking from the Municipality.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
They seem to be serious about the smoking ban
Last time a smoking ban was introduced it wasn't enforced, smokers ignored it and it was dropped.
This time the whole story seems to be different. Boy, did I get that one wrong!
Mind you, I was mislead by earlier statements from the Municipality.
Here's what I said in an earlier posting:
"...in countries such as Australia, the US, Britain, smoking bans are respected. It's highly unlikely they'll be respected here.
More importantly, they won't be enforced.
As I reported in June, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said that under the terms of the understanding with the malls, the onus of enforcement would be on the mall management.
"There will be no fines. Malls will be self-regulating," he said, adding that mall employees would have to tell smoking patrons to stub out and direct them to designated smoking areas."
I'm amazed, but delighted, that smokers appear to be obeying the ban. Certainly in the various malls and restaurants I go into I haven't seen anyone smoking.
There are even not many grouped around outside the entrance, having furtive drags.
A big help, I'm sure, was that the timing of the ban had been thought about, starting as it did immediately after Ramadan.
The ban is going to be enforced by big fines on both smoker and venue - something that originally the Municipality said would not happen. And the establishment can call the police if a smoker ignores the instruction to stop.
From next month the fines for smokers disobeying the law will be Dh500 for a first offence, Dh1,000 for a second offence, Dh4,000 for the third and Dh5,000 for any repeat thereafter.
That's an expensive cigarette!
Malls and restaurants must have a designated smoking zone with specific ventilation and smoke-absorbers. If they don't meet the requirements, smoking must not be allowed in these zones.
Fines on the establishment for not correctly regulating smoking will start at Dh10,000 and could go up to Dh50,000.
There is a total ban on smoking in establishments such as educational establishments, hair salons, internet cafes, health clubs, food courts and public offices.
Just going off at a tangent for a moment - this surely gives a hint that fines for driving offences must be increased dramatically. If you can be hit with a Dh5,000 fine for smoking a cigarette surely dangerous driving should atttract a fine several times bigger than that.
This time the whole story seems to be different. Boy, did I get that one wrong!
Mind you, I was mislead by earlier statements from the Municipality.
Here's what I said in an earlier posting:
"...in countries such as Australia, the US, Britain, smoking bans are respected. It's highly unlikely they'll be respected here.
More importantly, they won't be enforced.
As I reported in June, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said that under the terms of the understanding with the malls, the onus of enforcement would be on the mall management.
"There will be no fines. Malls will be self-regulating," he said, adding that mall employees would have to tell smoking patrons to stub out and direct them to designated smoking areas."
I'm amazed, but delighted, that smokers appear to be obeying the ban. Certainly in the various malls and restaurants I go into I haven't seen anyone smoking.
There are even not many grouped around outside the entrance, having furtive drags.
A big help, I'm sure, was that the timing of the ban had been thought about, starting as it did immediately after Ramadan.
The ban is going to be enforced by big fines on both smoker and venue - something that originally the Municipality said would not happen. And the establishment can call the police if a smoker ignores the instruction to stop.
From next month the fines for smokers disobeying the law will be Dh500 for a first offence, Dh1,000 for a second offence, Dh4,000 for the third and Dh5,000 for any repeat thereafter.
That's an expensive cigarette!
Malls and restaurants must have a designated smoking zone with specific ventilation and smoke-absorbers. If they don't meet the requirements, smoking must not be allowed in these zones.
Fines on the establishment for not correctly regulating smoking will start at Dh10,000 and could go up to Dh50,000.
There is a total ban on smoking in establishments such as educational establishments, hair salons, internet cafes, health clubs, food courts and public offices.
Just going off at a tangent for a moment - this surely gives a hint that fines for driving offences must be increased dramatically. If you can be hit with a Dh5,000 fine for smoking a cigarette surely dangerous driving should atttract a fine several times bigger than that.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
The smoking ban
There was a discussion on the radio this morning about the smoking ban that is partly in place and is due to start in malls in a couple of weeks.
The general agreement was that it would be a good thing when the mall smoking ban started.
Ha!
Back in June I wrote Smoking ban ain't gonna work.
The reason?
Well for a start, in countries such as Australia, the US, Britain, smoking bans are respected. It's highly unlikely they'll be respected here.
More importantly, they won't be enforced.
As I reported in June, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said that under the terms of the understanding with the malls, the onus of enforcement would be on the mall management.
"There will be no fines. Malls will be self-regulating," he said, adding that mall employees would have to tell smoking patrons to stub out and direct them to designated smoking areas.
Let me give you two examples of how this works, which I've encountered recently.
A smoking ban is already in place in 'government buildings and educational establishments'. In a coffee shop in Knowledge Village a customer seated inside asked for an ash tray. The coffee shop supervisor told him it was a no-smoking zone by government order. "Khali wali, I am from government" he said, producing a wallet from his trouser pocket and flashing, presumably, a government employee card.
The ash tray was meekly handed over.
Dubai Festival City has proudly announced since its opening that it is a smoke-free zone. Smoking will not be allowed. I was walking behind a man who lit up a cigarette less than two metres in front of a security man...who walked away without a word.
The general agreement was that it would be a good thing when the mall smoking ban started.
Ha!
Back in June I wrote Smoking ban ain't gonna work.
The reason?
Well for a start, in countries such as Australia, the US, Britain, smoking bans are respected. It's highly unlikely they'll be respected here.
More importantly, they won't be enforced.
As I reported in June, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said that under the terms of the understanding with the malls, the onus of enforcement would be on the mall management.
"There will be no fines. Malls will be self-regulating," he said, adding that mall employees would have to tell smoking patrons to stub out and direct them to designated smoking areas.
Let me give you two examples of how this works, which I've encountered recently.
A smoking ban is already in place in 'government buildings and educational establishments'. In a coffee shop in Knowledge Village a customer seated inside asked for an ash tray. The coffee shop supervisor told him it was a no-smoking zone by government order. "Khali wali, I am from government" he said, producing a wallet from his trouser pocket and flashing, presumably, a government employee card.
The ash tray was meekly handed over.
Dubai Festival City has proudly announced since its opening that it is a smoke-free zone. Smoking will not be allowed. I was walking behind a man who lit up a cigarette less than two metres in front of a security man...who walked away without a word.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Smoking 'ban' ain't gonna work...
They're backing off already.
Here's what Gulf News reports today:
"Dubai shopping malls will be responsible for regulating and enforcing anti-smoking regulations within their premises, under terms of an agreement signed between Dubai Municipality and a group representing shopping malls.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said that under the terms of the understanding, the onus of enforcement would not be on the municipality but on the mall management.
"There will be no fines. Malls will be self-regulating," he said, adding that mall employees would have to tell smoking patrons to stub out and direct them to designated smoking areas."
A month ago when the 'ban' was announced I asked:
"The proof will be in the enforcement, something that Dubai is not very good at. How and by whom they will be enforced is another question.
Will 'security' personnel in various buildings such as malls and cinemas be trained in how to approach smoking-ban violators? How to deal with refusals to 'stub out'? How to deal with being ignored, or abused? And then what? Will they call the police? Can they detain the smoker until the police arrive?
Who will have the power to issue fines? Will they be on-the-spot fines? How will the fines be enforced?
There are more questions than answers at the moment."
Well now we have the answers. Yes, the security people in malls will be responsible. Yes they'll be ignored. No there won't be any fines. Yes the whole exercise was a complete waste of time.
Gulf News story is here.
Here's what Gulf News reports today:
"Dubai shopping malls will be responsible for regulating and enforcing anti-smoking regulations within their premises, under terms of an agreement signed between Dubai Municipality and a group representing shopping malls.
Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said that under the terms of the understanding, the onus of enforcement would not be on the municipality but on the mall management.
"There will be no fines. Malls will be self-regulating," he said, adding that mall employees would have to tell smoking patrons to stub out and direct them to designated smoking areas."
A month ago when the 'ban' was announced I asked:
"The proof will be in the enforcement, something that Dubai is not very good at. How and by whom they will be enforced is another question.
Will 'security' personnel in various buildings such as malls and cinemas be trained in how to approach smoking-ban violators? How to deal with refusals to 'stub out'? How to deal with being ignored, or abused? And then what? Will they call the police? Can they detain the smoker until the police arrive?
Who will have the power to issue fines? Will they be on-the-spot fines? How will the fines be enforced?
There are more questions than answers at the moment."
Well now we have the answers. Yes, the security people in malls will be responsible. Yes they'll be ignored. No there won't be any fines. Yes the whole exercise was a complete waste of time.
Gulf News story is here.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Smoking ban - but will it be enforced? And how?
It seems there's another attempt to ban, or at least limit, smoking in public buildings, with all the morning papers carrying the story.
The instruction has come from the Dubai Executive Council with details to be officially announced on May 31.
If I understand the usual somewhat unclear reports, it will begin with a ban in government & 'public' buildings and educational facilities on May 31, then in shopping malls and 'amusement centres' from mid-September and from mid-November all food establishments, beauty salons, hotels and cinemas will have to abide by the rule.
Fines, unspecified at this stage, will begin to be imposed from the beginning of 2008.
There will be a blanket ban on smoking in schools, educational establishments, salons, health clubs, internet cafes, food courts and offices. Shopping malls, cafes and restaurants won't have a total ban, but must have smoking lounges or areas which must have adequate ventilation and/or smoke absorbers. People under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter these smoking areas.
So far so good. The proof will be in the enforcement, something that Dubai is not very good at. We have regulations but little regulation. Traffic rules, construction site safety rules, permitted construction times, parking rules, all are routinely ignored and there's little enforcement.
How and by whom they will be enforced is another question.
Will 'security' personnel in various buildings such as malls and cinemas be trained in how to approach smoking-ban violators? How to deal with refusals to 'stub out'? How to deal with being ignored, or abused? And then what? Will they call the police? Can they detain the smoker until the police arrive?
Who will have the power to issue fines? Will they be on-the-spot fines? How will the fines be enforced?
There are more questions than answers at the moment.
Smoking bans work with the support of the population, as they have in various cities around the world. The big question is whether Dubai's population will be willing to go along with the regulations.
I have my doubts.
A couple of the stories:
Gulf News
Khaleej Times
The instruction has come from the Dubai Executive Council with details to be officially announced on May 31.
If I understand the usual somewhat unclear reports, it will begin with a ban in government & 'public' buildings and educational facilities on May 31, then in shopping malls and 'amusement centres' from mid-September and from mid-November all food establishments, beauty salons, hotels and cinemas will have to abide by the rule.
Fines, unspecified at this stage, will begin to be imposed from the beginning of 2008.
There will be a blanket ban on smoking in schools, educational establishments, salons, health clubs, internet cafes, food courts and offices. Shopping malls, cafes and restaurants won't have a total ban, but must have smoking lounges or areas which must have adequate ventilation and/or smoke absorbers. People under the age of 21 will not be allowed to enter these smoking areas.
So far so good. The proof will be in the enforcement, something that Dubai is not very good at. We have regulations but little regulation. Traffic rules, construction site safety rules, permitted construction times, parking rules, all are routinely ignored and there's little enforcement.
How and by whom they will be enforced is another question.
Will 'security' personnel in various buildings such as malls and cinemas be trained in how to approach smoking-ban violators? How to deal with refusals to 'stub out'? How to deal with being ignored, or abused? And then what? Will they call the police? Can they detain the smoker until the police arrive?
Who will have the power to issue fines? Will they be on-the-spot fines? How will the fines be enforced?
There are more questions than answers at the moment.
Smoking bans work with the support of the population, as they have in various cities around the world. The big question is whether Dubai's population will be willing to go along with the regulations.
I have my doubts.
A couple of the stories:
Gulf News
Khaleej Times
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