Anti-tobacco law issued in UAE

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Restricting the sale and promotion of tobacco products, UAE issued a federal law banning import of tobacco and its by-products into the country unless specific standard requirements accredited are met.

President H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued the federal law no 15 of 2009 that include conditions like posting of clear word and image warnings on the box and a ban on all kinds of advertisements, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, Emirates News Agency (WAM) said.

Under the provisions of the law, no licence will be issued to cafes or similar outlets serving any types of tobacco or its products inside residential buildings or quarters or near them. Smoking will also be banned during vehicle driving in the company of a child under 12 years.

The law sets a series of penalties against offenders reaching in some cases up to Dh 1 million (USD 272) in addition to a jail term of not less than two years.

The law also calls for setting up a national anti-tobacco committee as per a cabinet resolution to ensure enforcement of the law.

Commenting on the law, Health Minister Dr Hanif Hassan said: "The legislation was issued to protect UAE citizens and residents, enhance public health, and combat diseases and uproot harmful habits in the society including the lethal smoking menace which leads according to the latest World Health Organisation report to the death of more than 5 million persons every year."