Dh2,000 fine will be slapped if you smoke e-cigarette in malls
dubai — The Dubai Municipality will impose a Dh2,000 fine on electronic cigarette — or e-cigarette — smokers inside shopping malls, an official said.
Redha Salman, director of the Municipality’s Public Health and Safety Department, stressed that the sale or import of e- cigarettes is illegal in the UAE, under the federal law. Thus, e-cigarette smoking is “completely banned” in public places like souks and shopping malls, both indoors and outside the mall entrances and perimeter.
Smokers of e-cigarettes will be slapped with the Dh2,000 fine, and the department has given powers to security personnel in malls to direct people in a civilised manner and to put signs and warnings on the entrances. “In the case of people repeating these practices, the security officer has the right to resort to the police to take the necessary measures,” said Salman.
The municipality conducts continuous inspection visits on shops selling tobacco, and e-cigarettes are immediately confiscated when found. “We take immediate legal action against violating shops that sell electronic cigarettes. The municipality will not allow any viola-
We take immediate legal action against violating shops that sell electronic cigarettes. Redha Salman, director, public health & safety dept, Dubai Municipality
tions when it comes to smoking inside closed areas,” said Salman.
The decision in 2009 to ban smoking in public places also includes electronic cigarettes and smoking at the entrances of shop- ping centres and indoor areas like hotels. Article No. 8 prohibits all kinds of direct and indirect advertising of tobacco and tobacco products. Salman said the decision to fine violators came after the general observation that some shopping centres allow the violation of the indoor smoking ban. Salman said that the decision aims to maintain public health and achieve the strategic goals of health in the emirate.