Dubai Municipality, in a major move, is set  to tighten its ban on electronic cigarette smoking in public places and shopping malls, both indoors and also at the entrances of the malls, reported the state news agency Wam.

The civic body move comes following complaints that certain shopping centres are allowing violations of the indoor smoking ban, especially the so-called electronic cigarettes, and permitting them to smoke at the entrances of shopping centres, said the report, citing a senior official.

Shopping centres and malls have been directed to encourage their security personnel to treat people in a polite manner and to put signs and warnings on the entrances, remarked Redha Salman, the director of Public Health and Safety Department in the municipality.

In the case of people repeating these practices, the security officer has the right to resort to the police to take the necessary measures," he added.