Monday: 30 May 2011:
Law Culture Respect Bureau brings suit against cigarettes
On the eve of World’s Anti -Tobacco Day that falls on 31 May 2011, the Law Culture Respect Bureau published a legal book titled “A cigarette’s Trial”.
The book contained a number of historical, medical and statistical facts about cigarettes as well as the legal facts included in the legislations applicable in UAE.
“Being an indivisible part of UAE entity, the Ministry of Interior, by its security sense, perceives the risks of smoking and its damaging effects on the security of individuals in general and the security of youth in particular”, said Lt. Colonel Dr. Salah Al Ghoul, director of the Law Culture Respect Bureau at the Secretariat General of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Interior.
Local studies indicate that early smoking is one of the most important aspects of juvenile delinquency and the path leading to drug abuse, noted Al Ghoul.
He said, the book focuses on the legal aspects of this evil, because anti smoking law in UAE has only been issued recently, i.e. 2009. Many people here do not have any idea about the details of this law and the serious penalties it involves for some offences. It may reach, in some cases, to imprisonment and a fine up to AED one million.
This law is one of the most important initiatives for combating cancer diseases and curbing their spreading. It contained several legal rules which seek to limit the use of tobacco and advertising it through the media outlets.
The new law bans the import of tobacco and its by-products "unless specific standard requirements accredited in the UAE are met. Offenders shall be fined with not less not than AED 100.000 and not more than AED 1000.000, or shall be jailed for not less than one year.
The same penalties apply to any one who grows tobacco for commercial use, or who manufactures its products inside the country, or imports or sells candies and toys that look like tobacco products,
He noted that the law blocked the way before tobacco companies’ advertisements which were mainly targeting youngsters. The legislation makes it illegal to publish promotional material that urge people to smoke, or advertise tobacco products.
The law also forbids selling of tobacco products to those less than 18 years
The law prohibits smoking on public transport and public closed places, and also bans using tobacco products while driving a vehicle if a child of less than 12 years is present.