Tawam Hospital has implemented the UAE’s Federal National Tobacco Law on total ban of smoking in public areas and has now become a 100 per cent smoke-free zone.

This announcement comes in support of the international World No Tobacco Day tomorrow (May 31).

The Federal National Tobacco Law prohibits smoking in all public areas or property without allowing designated smoking areas indoors or outdoors. Although the law has not been fully enforced yet, government owned buildings, such as, schools, universities, hospitals, theatres, and fitness centres will have to abide by the full smoking ban in the near future.

The first step into the full smoking ban initiative by Tawam Hospital is to replace all the ‘No Smoking’ signs available on hospital property by a sign clarifying that smoking is illegal by law. The second step is to remove all designated smoking areas throughout the hospital campus, which includes Tawam Dental Centre, Al Jahli and Al Neima Primary Care Clinics, Al Wagan Hospital, and the Regional Blood Centre.

“Our interpretation of the law and policy requirements dictates advancement from 'No Smoking' buildings, which is our present practice, to 'No Smoking' Campuses”, said Dr Steve Matarelli, chief operating officer of Tawam Hospital.

“The ill effects of tobacco smoking are well known and a threat to public health, even for non-smokers such as family members and the general non-smoking public. Our announcement of this transition today is in keeping with sound medical evidence and public health initiatives of the UAE government.”

The new ban on smoking is effective immediately at Tawam Hospital, but full enforcement will be in conjunction with fasting periods during the holy month of Ramadan.-TradeArabia News Service