Cafe closed over illegal smoking facility

DUBAI — The Dubai Municipality has closed down a cafe for providing smoking facility in the amusement and entertainment area and 74 others were issued fines.

“The municipality has banned smoking in all places of entertainment in the emirate, which include billiards and snooker halls, electronic games areas and Internet cafes,” said Redha Salman, director of health and safety department of the civic body.

He said that last month, the department conducted 200 inspection visits and found out that 74 cafes were violating rules and they were issued a fine of Dh122,000, while 73 cafes were issued permits for having smoking areas.

“The municipality inspection campaigns on coffee shops were being conducted to confirm they are abiding by the provisions of the law on tobacco control,” said Salman.

He pointed out that the municipality will go according to plan for strict control and inspections in order to comply with the regulations, especially after the expiry of a deadline of six months, which was given to these establishments and cafes to change their status according to the terms and conditions approved in the Federal Law.

“Last month, the municipality had spoken to the Economic Development Department asking it not to renew licences of 119 cafés and closing their activities for violating the terms of the Federal Law on Tobacco Control,” said Salman.