Tobacco.org

• 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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