The new law seeks to impose restrictions on the consumption and promotion of tobacco products in the country.

Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, Dr Ali Shukar, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said: “The Ministry of Health has finalised the the draft bill on tobacco control and forwarded it to the cabinet for endorsement.”

The proposed law slaps ban on tobacco advertising and promotion. The law, which have been prepared in line with the WHO evidence-based Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), also focuses on other aspects of tobacco control like taxation, smuggling, farming and importing.

Ban on sale of tobacco to minors and reduction in exposure of young people to smoking are also stipulated in the law.

Meanwhile. the Ministry of Health has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Justice regarding the proposed federal law to regulate the medical liability in the country, said Dr Shukar.

Brain death and fixing a ceiling for compensation for medical errors were areas of the contention between the two ministries.

“The Technical Legislation Committee is now debating the provisions of the law. We have nearly agreed on some of the provisions,” said Dr Shukar.

The undersecretary also disclosed that the ministry has devised a new mechanism for dispensing certain medications for UAE nationals.

“By early 2007, a new mechanism will be enforced under which nationals will be able to get medications needed to treat chronic diseases for three months instead of one month,” he said.

At present national patients are allowed to get prescribed medications for only one month.

The official also said his ministry had prepared a new strategy which calls for vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. However, he said, the plan has not yet been endorsed by higher authorities.   

He noted that the strategy aims to foster partnership between the ministry and international research institutions and health organisations to introduce new vaccines and drugs for fighting cancer.