Ajman action on smokers

Smokers living in the residential areas of Ajman would have to say goodbye to their habit as the Ajman municipality has launched a new initiative to ban sale of cigarettes by commercial outlets located in these areas. Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, director general of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Directorate, has ordered to launch the initiative, which would be the first of its kind in the UAE. Time-frame   The municipality has granted a three-month period to commercial outlets in the residential areas to implement the initiative and adhere to the new law. The step comes in line with the Ajman municipality’s objective of ensuring safety of people and the decision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in prohibiting smoking in residential areas. Engineer Khalid Moeen Al Hosani, executive director of Public Health and Environment at Ajman Municipality and Planning Directorate, noted that the initiative is part of the procedures to be taken to implement the federal law No.15 for the year 2009 about tobacco smoking. The law is in line with an agreement between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UAE. The agreement clearly says that no trading licence will be issued to any establishment located in residential areas if they are found selling or dealing with any tobacco products. Engineer Al Hosani noted that the municipality has kicked off various anti-smoking campaigns to educate smokers about the fatal consequences of smoking on their health. “We are planning to organise an awareness campaign to ensure that commercial outlets adhere to the new decision,” he said.