Anti-tobacco law to ban smoking in cars
The new anti-tobacco law expected to be issued soon will ban smoking inside cars and grant judicial powers to some anti-smoking volunteers, an official of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has hinted.
The proposed law, which will amend the existing anti-tobacco law, also includes provisions to ban use and sale of chewing tobacco (such as sweika), Al Sharq reported, quoting Tariq Salahuddin, head of the Legal Department at the SCH.
The fine for smoking in public places will being increased by the new law. It will ban smoking inside cars and impose a fine on those violating this rule. The new law will give judicial powers to some anti-tobacco volunteers to detect and report violations, Salahuddin said.
He was speaking during an anti-smoking workshop organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs yesterday. The workshop aimed to strengthen the role of imams and preachers in curbing smoking.
A proposal to set up an association in Qatar for combating smoking is awaiting approval from the State Cabinet, said Dr Ahmed Mohamed Al Mulla, head of the Smoking Cessation Clinic at Hamad Medical Corporation.
Cigarettes are the most popular medium of tobacco use among smokers, followed by shisha and sweika. There is another kind of tobacco, called “Al Saud”, which is used mostly by some Arab communities. The smoking habit is more difficult to quit than other types of tobacco use, said Al Mulla.
Tobacco companies spend huge amounts on advertisements and try to bribe decision-makers to stop framing of laws against smoking. Smoking is on the rise in the Arab world while it is declining in the United States and Europe, he added.
He called for increasing the prices of cigarettes in Qatar to curb their use. Cigarettes are cheaper in Qatar compared to some other GCC countries, said Al Mulla.
Citing statistics issued by the Civil Defence authorities, he said about 50 percent of the cases of fire in homes, restaurants and warehouses in Qatar were caused by smoking.
Since the launch of the Smoking Cessation Clinic, about 35 percent of the smokers who have visited the clinic have quit the habit.
The Peninsula | Photo: The Times
@qatari so happy after 16 years you are still here. Please make QL what it used to be, a friendly place not domi ated by a few A@@h@oles
and by the way its not implemented yet.....
@ashokkandoi: why you will informed will they smoke in your vehicle ??
can you give me phone number where I can logged and informed them to catch the same.
GOOD!
I do agree with this law... Smoking in public places should be banned... We need smoking area like ATM counters and these area to be maintained by the tobacco companies.. All expense for the maintenance will bear by the tobacco companies because everybody agreed that no one can stop selling tobacco products and tobacco products are injurious to health.
thanks for your comments guys!
hmmmmm....
Yasir, That's correct but still you will loose a few Karats { out of 24 } .
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Wed, 23.04.2014 , 09.23 hrs ................................................................................................
*MM there is an air freshener specially for smoke of cigarettes & if you switch on exhaust smoke will not remain inside your vehicle ... :P
MM there is a air freshener specially for smoke of cigarettes & if you switch on exhaust smoke will not remain inside your vehicle ... :P
Nizam , Welcome at QL ......
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Wed, 23.04.2014 , 08.59 hrs ................................................................................................
Galinda , Smokers' cars sale prices often go down by about 10 % due to the tobac. smell from seat covers . It will be a loss to your purse ............ Not smoking in your own car has many hidden benefits for you .....
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Wed, 23.04.2014 , 08.57 hrs ................................................................................................
قال الله عز وجل في محكمه التنزيل: ولا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى التهلكه. فماذا بعد يا أحباءنا الكرام. هو الله الحكيم العليم أعرف منا ما نحتاج إليه وما لانحتاج
ehm ehm yes boxbe... :)
My...u need to spread the message of stop smoking
Qatar could be the first, brave country to finally ban deadly tobacco products, and save its residents from this curse.
But I don't think they have the courage to do this.
Totally agree with galinda... if they really care about our Health they should have to ban smoking & Shisha...
All I am saying is that if everyone agrees that smoking is sooooo bad and will hurt your health and you shouldn't do it in your car....
Then ban smoking 100%.
If you don't think it should be banned, then what is the reason people can't smoke while they are in their own car?
The UK implemented this law but only when a child is present inside the car
G , In some cases Doctors recommend certain banned substances to a few persons who can't survive without that { in certain countries police stations distribute the substance to the marked patients } .... so it doesn't make a basis for a young & educated / informed person to demand that on fairness grounds ... Those people don't have the option of any U-Turn ... I 'm so sure you have ....
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Tue, 22.04.2014, 12.38 hrs .........................................................................................................
expat...good for u if it is done..i prefer working in a healthy environment
Will there be a law banning smoking inside offices by the respective office managers??
G, This is our body not the Govt's ..... We need to care for it more than them ..... may be insurance / Govt will pay the hospital bills but nobody will come forward to share the pain of sickness specially in the 70s of our age ..... Let our body be like 24 Karats gold till the last breath.
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Tue, 22.04.2014, 12.30 hrs .........................................................................................................
Galinda , For women it's much more important to cut down tobac. intake ..... Listen to the modern science research / health experts warnings ..... Go for other healthy eatables of your choice , upgrade your car from Corolla to Camry etc ..... be happy with your life ...... as a fellow QLer I feel I must express my worries for common good .......
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Tue, 22.04.2014, 12.22 hrs .........................................................................................................
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140422/lifestyle-health-and-wellbeing/article/want-quit-smoking-try-puzzles-or-adopt-hobby
Then why not ban smoking altogether, since there are no people arguing that you shouldn't smoke because it's bad for your health.
Why allow something to be sold legally, and then say that people can't use it in their cars because it's bad for their health.
That makes no sense whatsoever.
Rab, That's fine. But my brother you can eat fruit & drink juices , milk etc but reduce on smoking as in the old age it's effects start showing ......
I wish .... Live long & more joys with perfect health & minimum issues .....
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Tue, 22.04.2014, 12.13 hrs .........................................................................................................
so far i have not seen people smoking in taxis and buses...but more in private cars...when people do not care of their own health and then go to hospital crying...then it no more becomes personal
To make them a model for others ...... this way people will be able to pick the healthy habits signals ... the word will go out that lesser & lesser people like to smoke ..... and one day the entire younger generation would be freed from the cluches this enemy.
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Tue, 22.04.2014, 12.05 hrs .........................................................................................................
M&M i don't smoke in the car when a non smoker is with me, banning smoking should be in Taxis and buses not private cars
Yes if u are in public transport that i can understand but why its ban in our own vehicle..
Why are people with no spouses and no kids being banned from smoking in their cars?
Rab & G , To protect your spouse & kids from the hazards .......
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Tue, 22.04.2014, 11.51 hrs .........................................................................................................
If people smoke inside malls, that annoys other patrons, which is why it's against the law.
But why ban smoking inside cars?
What next - ban smoking inside your home?
inside My car is my personal space, and panning me to smoke inside my own car is a violation of my own space
Give them chewing gum atleast ........
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Tue, 22.04.2014, 07.25 hrs ..................................................................................................
Best law ever.
Very good news.
It should be banned everywhere!
Very good
Bravo Qatar. Bravo.
nice one..!