Tobacco.org

Hazardous e-cigarette Smoked out of Market 

ABU DHABI -- Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) can be hazardous to people's health as it contains carcinogens and toxic materials, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The e-cigarette cannot be recognised or marketed as a 'quit smoking' therapy in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of Tobacco Control Team at the MoH told Khaleej Times.

"There is general agreement in the GCC Tobacco Control Committee that e-cigarette should not be circulated in the (Gulf) market as therapy. It cannot be recognised or marketed as a kind 
of therapy.

"There was no approval from (United States) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it can be used as a therapy (and) no recommendation from the MoH," she 
pointed out.

"If circulated, then the same rule applies as the (real) cigarette (with) specific requirements for marketing and selling cigarette -- with picture and hazard (warning)," she added.

According to Dr Al Maidoor, Dubai Municipality did a test of e-cigarette recently and found them "to be very dangerous and containing a lot of hazards to health."

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• Federal Anti-smoking Law Carries Stiff Penalties 

ABU DHABI - Stiff penalties, including prison and fines of up to Dh50,000, will be imposed on individuals or establishments for violations of a new federal anti-smoking law, a Ministry of Justice official said on Thursday.

The draft law includes a ban on the sale of cigarettes to people under 18 years.

The draft of the law will be finalised by the Health Affairs Committee of the Federal National Council on Monday and would be submitted to the House for approval, committee chairman Abdullah Al Shehi said on Thursday.

Shehi said the meeting would be attended by Dr Ali Shakar, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health.

An official source at the Ministry of Justice said the draft law lays down the rules that organise the production, import and sale of tobacco products with the objective of curbing smoking.

Fines will be doubled if the offence is repeated The law bans smoking in offices, public places, on public transport, in shopping malls, schools, universities, hospitals, care homes, sports associations and social and cultural clubs.

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Some smokers fume, others applaud ban  

Some smokers were in a huff yesterday about the proposal to ban smoking in public places, with many wondering how they would light up outside in the sweltering summers.

"Non-smokers have their own will; smokers also," said Hosam Nour, 49, drawing on a cigarette outside the Abu Dhabi Municipality building. "I cannot tell you to smoke, but how can you force me to stop?"

The structural engineer acknowledged there was evidence that second-hand smoke, which contains cancer-causing chemicals and toxins, could harm others. But he wondered whether banning smoking in public spaces was going too far.

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Hotel kicks the smoking habit  

ABU DHABI // The city's first club dedicated to smoking has become its first completely non-smoking club.

The Cristal cigar and champagne bar at the Millennium Hotel has banned smoking. Management at the nightspot, now known as the Cristal wine and champagne bar, acted before the Government imposes a long-promised ban on smoking in public places that all the capital's hotels will have to adopt.

Nevine Albert, a spokeswoman for the hotel, said crowds had been smaller at the bar, which was first of its kind in the city when it opened in March 2002, but guests were expected to return once they became accustomed to the no-smoking rule.

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Capital yet to decide on no-smoking rule 

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.

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Capital bans all forms of tobacco ads, promotions 

The Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has banned advertising and promotion of tobacco use and of tobacco products in the emirate of Abu Dhabi with effect from today.

Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, a senior official at the Policy and Regulation Department in HAAD stated: "To significantly reduce the consumption of tobacco products, a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion in the emirate has been introduced under HAAD Ban on Tobacco policy."

In August 2009, the policy will be revised to ensure its efficacy.

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Abu Dhabi says no to tobacco promotion 

The Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has banned advertising and promotion of tobacco use and of tobacco products in the emirate of Abu Dhabi with effect from today.

Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, a senior official at the Policy and Regulation Department in HAAD stated: "To significantly reduce the consumption of tobacco products, a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion in the emirate has been introduced under HAAD Ban on Tobacco policy."

In August 2009, the policy will be revised to ensure its efficacy.

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• Abu Dhabi says no to tobacco promotion 

The Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has banned advertising and promotion of tobacco use and of tobacco products in the emirate of Abu Dhabi with effect from today.

Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, a senior official at the Policy and Regulation Department in HAAD stated: "To significantly reduce the consumption of tobacco products, a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion in the emirate has been introduced under HAAD Ban on Tobacco policy."

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• Withdraw fake cigarettes, asks Ministry of Economy 

Abu Dhabi, August 22, 2007 (WAM): Ministry of Economy has asked all the concerned parties to withdraw fake cigarettes from the market.

Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy for Corporate Affairs and Control, Humaid Ali Butti Al Muhairi said that this move comes as part of its market control efforts and is in the best interests of the consumers. He noted that recent laboratory examinations had proved that certain tobacco brands available in the market do not conform to their labels, as the percentage of nicotine and tar contradict with what is printed on the packets.

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Health Authority - Abu Dhabi unveils forceful anti-smoking campaign 

Abu Dhabi (HA-AD) today unveiled its new anti-smoking public health awareness campaign ahead of this year’s World No Tobacco Day on 31st May.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the HA-AD where senior officials revealed the particulars of the multi-million dirham campaigns program that will start with the anti-smoking campaign.

Commencing on the 31st of May, the campaign will initially continue until the 13th of June and will highlight the health hazards related to smoking, give tips on how to quit smoking and will encourage 100% smoke-free work and public environments. The campaign will run for two weeks across newspapers, magazines, radio, internet, cinema and outdoor posters.

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• Anti-tobacco draft law sent to cabinet 

Health authorities have forwarded to the cabinet a much-debated law on tobacco control.

The new law seeks to impose restrictions on the consumption and promotion of tobacco products in the country.

Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, Dr Ali Shukar, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said: “The Ministry of Health has finalised the the draft bill on tobacco control and forwarded it to the cabinet for endorsement.”

The proposed law slaps ban on tobacco advertising and promotion. The law, which have been prepared in line with the WHO evidence-based Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), also focuses on other aspects of tobacco control like taxation, smuggling, farming and importing.

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Many turn a blind eye to quit-smoking campaign 

World No Tobacco Day 2005 was observed throughout the country yesterday despite some people continuing to smoke in public places.

Organisations set up quit smoking clinics at government clinics, shopping malls and private hospitals throughout the country.

In Abu Dhabi, the Preventive Medicine Department, in cooperation with the General Authority for Health Services for the emirate of Abu Dhabi (GAHS) and the Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, created special awareness programmes for the day. Private hospitals and clinic also chalked out similar programmes. . . .

Dozens of people visited the clinic to register for health check-ups and tips to quit smoking. . . .

However, dozens of people were also seen smoking while passing by the clinic, with the majority teenagers of both sexes.

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ADNH head office adopts no-smoking policy 

ADNH Compass will foot the medical bills of any staff member wanting to quit the habit for the first four weeks of treatment. And as an added incentive to help employees resist the lure of tobacco, the company has made its head office building a no smoking zone, in line with government recommendations to increase no smoking office areas in the UAE capital.

The ADNH Compass and Sunshine Tours head offices in Abu Dhabi were refurbished in September at a cost of AED3.5 million, and the renovation included a smoking room to reduce discomfort to non-smokers and slash passive smoking levels.

'We value our staff's health and welfare, and this campaign is a worthy effort to encourage ADNH Compass employees to make a positive lifestyle change,' said Mike Moore, Manager Director of ADNH Compass. 'Quitting the habit also shows consideration to non-smokers and is a good example to others. It's not easy, but ADNH Compass is more than willing to do what it can to help through this initiative.'

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Federal law on tobacco control on the anvil 

A federal law covering all aspects of tobacco control in the country, including tobacco farming, imports, sale, use in public places, taxation and advertising, will soon be submitted to the cabinet for approval.

The tax rate on cigarette in the UAE, which is 100 per cent, might be increased to 150 per cent in line with recommendations of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council's Council of Health Ministers to hike the taxes. The draft law has been drafted by a national committee under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Health with representatives from the Ministries of Information and Culture, Agriculture and the General Secretariat of the UAE Municipalities.

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Quit-smoking contest from Sept 14 

The Ministry of Health (MoH), in cooperation with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company ADNOC, is launching the third round of anti-smoking global competition 'Quit and Win 2004'.

The biennial competition, being organised in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), aims to help smokers of 18 years or above and have been smoking for more than one year to quit the habit.

The competition, to be launched nationwide on September 14, requires the participants to give up smoking for four weeks continuously in order to win a trip for two persons, besides other valuable prizes including a $10,000 worth of raffle draw organised by the WHO. . . .

He said the participants would have to stop smoking tobacco or 'shisha' during the period stated by the competition. Medical check-ups would be conducted to make sure that the participants had quit the habit for the specified period, he said.

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