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Dubai: Shisha and Ramadan usually go hand-in-hand, but this year's iftar celebrations will have the flavour taken out of them.
Only four and five-star hotels will be allowed to serve shisha in the temporary iftar tents, under strict new regulations.
Redha Hassan Salman, Director of the Public Safety Department, Dubai Municipality has confirmed that Ramadan shisha is being regulated under the new anti-smoking laws introduced this year.
As soon as Ramadan has finished, shisha will again be banned in areas stipulated by the Municipality. Under the new rules, general smoking is banned in all hotels, except for designated outdoor areas.
The ban on smoking in hotel premises is part of an ongoing campaign to regulate smoking in the emirate. The Ramadan tents also have to follow some new regulations, such as displaying no smoking signs for under-20s.
From November 2007, smoking was regulated in cafes and restaurants, and shisha cafes have to comply with new regulations by the end of the year.
Shisha cafes smaller than 1,500sq ft are required to move to bigger premises by the year-end, and smoking outside cafes in residential areas has also been banned.
To offer shisha in tents, hotels need to obtain approval or a permit from the Public Health Department at Dubai Municipality, providing the trade licence of the establishment, layout of the proposed smoking area and a plan of the ventilation and air-conditioning system.
Do you visit shisha tents during Ramdan? What do you think of the ban? Will it stop you from smoking shisha? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com
Your comments
It is a good step but there is nothing that states about the ventilation in Shisha cafes, just that it should be 1500 sq.ft. Rather than area they should emphasize more on ventilation as it becomes even harder to breath in such an environment for people who don?t smoke.
Furqan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 11:29
Nothing should be forced. It is absolutely a good move to ban smoking in indoor places, but other than that, it is forcing. It is up to people to decide if they want to keep their health or not. The municipality says shisha can be only served in 4-5 star hotels. This means shisha won't be available anywhere anymore, so guess what, this causes a sort of monopoly for the hotels and the prices will shoot up, even though prices are more than high enough in 4-5 star hotels. By doing this act, the municipality of Dubai isn't aiming to prevent people not to smoke but to make more money out of it like all other things in Dubai, the city that cares!
Milad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 11:13
Yes I do visit tents during ramadan that is the only hang out for most of the people around in Dubai.
Reshma
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: August 27, 2008, 11:09
If smoking cig. is banned why not smoking shisha.
Why its allowed on temp. basis in 4-5 star. What is the meaning of BAN. This is not justice.
Ronald
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 11:08
The ban will just make it difficult for people to gather together socially. If you drink you will probably go to a bar if not - then with the Dubai weather it is limited to Cinemas (anti social) or window shopping in the malls!
Latif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 10:32
When will this happen in Abu Dhabi. I have numerous shisha joints around my house in Dar Thul Mia and we walk through the smoke literally in addition to the customers taking up all the parking along with double and triple parking blocking our parked cars.
Mahesh
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 10:09
I have been staying in frij murar and I did not see any of the Shisha cafe closed there. The smoke pollute the place and its difficult to stay with a family there. The cafe people also mess the place by throwing the shisha water in a pot hole close to the cafe
victor
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 09:45
Shisha should be banned for those who spend eight to ten hrs in a day but people like me I go once in a week or once in two week, to enjoy the flavor and Arab tradition.
You Know tourists when they make their mind to visit Dubai first they plan that they are going to have a lovely shisha out here.
All depend on you that how you control your self.
sajjad
Dubai,UAE.
Posted: August 27, 2008, 09:12
Shisha is more injurious to health compared to cigarettes and hence banning both shisha and cigarettes would be in the best interest of the public health.
Nassir
ABU DHABI,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 09:10
I never visited the shisha tents.its good to ban all these things.I dont think this ban can stop smoking shisha,the person who himself should decide to stop smoking shisha but onething is there if there is no chance for smoking it may reduce!
Najitha
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 27, 2008, 08:21
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