Tobacco.org

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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LETTER: Killer habit 

Merely banning smoking won't work. We need to win the hearts and minds of smokers. As an ex-smoker, perhaps my advice will carry some weight. . . .

Alas, I am now minus a lung and my family knows I won't last another three years. Schools should organise a visit to the cancer hospital in Al Ain. It might do the trick.

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Health authorities want ban imposed in phases 

Abu Dhabi: Health authorities said the anti-smoking measures should be implemented across different sectors in a phased manner so that smokers would be able to adapt better.

Such a move would help protect the children's and families' right to breathe clean air, without discriminating against smokers - an issue that appears to be coming to the fore in various parts of the world.

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Inspectors seize tonnes of tobacco products from shops 

Inspectors of Abu Dhabi Municipality's Market Control Section seized more than three tonnes of fake and smuggled tobacco products from a number of shops in the capital and its suburbs.

According to official sources, the confiscated goods included 14 brands of tobacco. Shops, warehouses and distribution stores involved have been booked for violations relating to selling fake brands and smuggled goods, and breaking economic and legal regulations.

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Farmer tom quits cigs... and gets the goat 

CLOGHER farmer Thomas Breadon has given up smoking in the interests of better health.

Since kicking the habit he has ploughed his savings back into the farm, buying machinery and livestock.

After attending a stop smoking clinic, delivered by Armagh and Dungannon Health and Social Services Trust in support of the Investing for Health Strategy for Northern Ireland, he decided to pack in the cigs for once and for all. . . .

Thomas, who previously smoked 25 cigarettes a day, decided to invest the money saved - around a fiver daily - in a hay turner and some livestock.

Southern Investing for Health manager Lyn Donnelly said: "Life expectancy in Northern Ireland falls short of many other countries in Western Europe. Furthermore, life expectancy in the Southern Board area is slightly below that of the Northern Ireland average.

"The Smoking Cessation Clinic is just one of the 'Beacon Projects' within the Southern Investing for Health strategy which is trying to tackle this shortfall.

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