Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, a senior official at the Policy and Regulation Department in HAAD stated: “To significantly reduce the consumption of tobacco products, a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion in the emirate has been introduced under HAAD Ban on Tobacco policy.”

In August 2009, the policy will be revised to ensure its efficacy.

Sponsorship or any form of public or private contribution to any event, activity or individual with the aim of direct or indirect effect of promoting a tobacco product is also banned under the new system, he added.

“We have notified all the enforcement agencies to adhere to the new policy. HAAD calls on all private and public authorities, companies, organisations, facilities and institutions in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to implement and enforce the ban,” urged the official.

He clarified that the objective of the policy was to reduce the promotion of tobacco products “which impacts on the consumption of tobacco and tobacco products, and consequently reduce diseases associated with tobacco consumption.”

He underlined that HAAD supports the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which bans advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products.

Elaborating on the policy, the official said the ban includes all forms of media, specifically print media (newspapers, magazines), radio, television, cinema (pre-movie ads), billboards, direct mail (if not specifically requested), fax, telephone and other media, such as the Internet, SMS and other information society services.

He warned that non-compliance with the ban will result in penalties ranging from warning, fine, closure of the facility/services to imprisonment as per the federal law and HAAD regulations.