Ghastly images soon on UAE cigarette packs
Cigarette packs in the UAE will soon carry ghastly images, such as an unborn baby inhaling smoke from its mom and a snake coiled around a shisha, to deter smokers from lighting up.
UAE daily The National reported on Thursday that as the country beefs up its smoking ban, it also plans for mandatory licenses for cigarette vendors and banning cigarette sales near schools.
The country issued a law in January to prohibit smoking in most public areas. The anti-smoking legislation also requires all tobacco products carry health warnings, bans their advertisement and makes selling products to anyone under 18 illegal.
Wedad al-Maidoor, head of the National Tobacco Control Committee, told the newspaper that the law should have a huge impact on the availability of cigarettes once it is implemented.
“We are very pleased to be at this stage,” she was quoted as saying in the newspaper on Thursday. “The final implementation will be discussed next month, so we hope it will be done soon. It will involve many authorities to ensure it is done properly and people comply.”
UAE officials are still working on details about how the anti-smoking law will be implemented and who will ensure that it is enforced.
