8 tobacco outlets shut down after repeated violations
109 PRODUCT SAMPLES TESTED TO ENSURE THEY ARE FREE OF ILLEGAL CHEMICALS
Eight tobacco-trading facilities have been shut down by the Abu Dhabi City Municipality in a bid to limit the sale of these products near places of worship, education and residence.
With Monday’s announcement, a total of 20 outlets have been shut down since the beginning of this year for violations pertaining to sale of items containing tobacco such as cigarettes, hookah and the local pipe (medwakh).
Additionally, 40 other outlets were allowed to rectify their violations and 109 samples were given to the Ministry of Interior to ensure that they are free of illegal chemicals.
The action was taken in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development as per Federal Law No 15 for 2009 on combating tobacco.
Warnings issued earlier
“This step stems from the keenness of the municipal system of Abu Dhabi to protect the health and safety of community members, nurture a healthy environment, and eliminate negative habits that might compromise the safety of individuals and reflect negatively on the health of the community,” the Shops that trade in tobacco should not be located within: Educational, medical, sports, religious, industrial, petroleum, cinema or theatre facilities. They should not be within 100 metres from places of worship and 150 metres from schools, kindergartens colleges and training institutes. They should not overlook main streets and must have provisional approvals from the Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Health Authority and owners of the premises. municipality said in a statement. The venues were shut down after a number of warnings issued against them by the municipality, a grace period to rectify their problems and several inspection visits which made their breach of regulation repetitive and apparent.
“Having exhausted all means of direction and guidance, and the lack of response on the part of those outlets, the closure decision was taken,” the statement added.
Gulf News earlier reported that any shop found to be selling tobacco to individuals under the age of 18 will be closed down immediately.