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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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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."
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.
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.
The Ministry of Health has declined repeated requests from British American Tobacco (BAT) to support the ministry's plan to help teenagers stop smoking.
While rejecting BAT's proposals, the ministry announced yesterday a major drive against juvenile smokers involving all government bodies.
"We will not carry joint campaigns with the tobacco industry which does not look at the public health but has very different objectives," said Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary of the ministry. . . .
He said BAT has already taken part in a campaign with Abu Dhabi Municipality when the local authorities issued a decision to ban shops from selling tobacco to minors.
The Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society has banned the sale of tobacco products to youngsters under 18.
The ban comes in partnership with Philip Morris Services S.A., one of the largest tobacco companies.
Part of Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society's Responsible Retailing Programme, the ban on sales of cigarettes to under-18s will be the first launched by a major retailer here.
Philip Morris Services, the market leader in the UAE will cooperate with the society, as an extension of its own youth smoking prevention programmes.
Faisal Al Arshi, Deputy General Manager of Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society said: "Responsible Retailing is the philosophy on which we have built our retail business.
"It is based on our commitment to provide the high quality products that adult consumers demand, at prices they can afford, and in ways that respect the traditions and values of the UAE society.