Bahrain introduces strict new anti-smoking laws

Wednesday, 15 April 2009 8:17 AM

Bahrain has introduced strict new smoking laws that will see people fined for smoking in their cars in front of children, it was reported on Wednesday.

The law, ratified by Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifah on Monday, bans smoking in indoor public places, including restaurants, cafes, hotels and hair salons, and on public transport and in private cars - where there are children.

However, it is unclear whether smoking in the outside spaces of cafes and restaurants, or public parks, will also be restricted

The new legislation clearly outlaws the advertising of cigarettes and the promotion of tobacco-products by manufacturing and importing companies at sports events, with even gift-giving banned, according to UAE daily Gulf News.

Cigarettes can no longer be sold to anyone under the age of 18 years with shopkeepers urged to ask for proof of age if in doubt.

"No Smoking" signs should be displayed in prominent positions in all prohibited places, and people working in the establishments will be charged with ensuring compliance.

Anyone violating the new rules will be fined and those establishments that fail to comply fully with the law risk being shut down for up to three months, it adds. The law also calls for a national committee on preventing smoking to be set up under the health ministry.

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Posted by: Ruma Thursday, 7 January 2010 10:05 AM[UAE]

Great move, I hope they keep it up ! and I hope that the rest of the Gulf countries take this into consideration like Saudi Arabia ! and other countries like Egypt !

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Posted by: Gordon Hall Thursday, 7 January 2010 7:11 AM[UAE] - Thailand

Couldn't agree more with Marijke.......sort out more dangerous motoring practices first before starting on smoking...whats more dangerous to a kid, a whiff of smoke or sitting playing on parents lap in the front of the car with no seatbelt!!!!

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Posted by: Nick Sunday, 19 April 2009 9:56 AM[UAE]

I do agree with this low for protecting the kids, but lets to see on the other way! A car it is private property and, I think, some rules are broken by extending the low inside of a private property. The next step will be the ban for smoking inside of our private houses if we have kids? And one more point at this subject. It is good to ban smoking inside of indoor public places, including restaurants, cafes and hotels, but do the governments (am I mean world wide) create special places for smokers? Or they started to discriminate them? I believe, during the time that the cigarettes will still be available on the market and the Tobacco it is not illegal, should not be such discrimination and create equal facilities for smokers and for non-smokers!

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Posted by: Marijke Wednesday, 15 April 2009 4:35 PM[UAE] - Bahrain

You can't really decide if people are or aren't allowed to smoke in their cars, however I do agree on the fact that people shouldn't smoke in a small area in front of the kids. I just wonder when the Bahraini govt. will ban parents from driving with their kids on their lap, kids without safety belt/seat in the passenger seat, kids hanging out of the windows, kids sitting loose in the back seat. That might safe lifes.

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