Qatar health authority cracks down on smokers

By Ed Attwood
  • Tuesday, 6 April 2010 10:10 AM
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FAG BREAK: Anti-smoking raids have resulted in fines for 148 smokers in Doha. (Getty Images)

FAG BREAK: Anti-smoking raids have resulted in fines for 148 smokers in Doha. (Getty Images)

Raids on shopping malls in Qatar over the last two weeks have resulted in fines for 148 errant smokers, the Peninsula has reported.

Inspectors from the Anti-Smoking Unit at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) imposed a total of $14,000 worth of fines, in a sign that the agency is cracking down on those smoking in public places.

The assistant to the secretary general of health affairs at SCH told the newspaper that the anti-tobacco law would also be amended to make it tougher.

Dr Saleh Al Marri also said that the SCH was in the process of hiring more plain-clothes inspectors, and was expanding its raids to other public locations throughout Doha.

The SCH has confirmed that it will continue with its inspections throughout the year.

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Posted by: Dan Wednesday, 21 April 2010 2:13 AM[UAE] - Sweden

Dear ?Reformed? smoker If virtually everyone is smoking than you seem to be in a very tiny minority. Yet you want to ban smoking. Isn?t it wrong to impose your will on the very big majority? Why not educate the masses who do want to smoke so they show consideration to none smokers? Why not create smoking rooms or corners in places where possible? Why dose it has to be a confrontation as soon as others bad or good habits doesn?t fit us?

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Posted by: Yahya Tuesday, 6 April 2010 2:11 PM[UAE]

Am I the only one who is sick and tired of seeing the photo of the same person every single time AB publishes a news article about smoking ?? I feel sorry for the poor lad as his image is being used over and over as an example !! Just a No Smoking sign would do as alternative to his photo I propose !.

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