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Sheesha cafes given one year to move indoors

“We want them to adjust to the new rules and regulations announced in September. The cafes which serve sheesha outdoors are being given a year’s time to adjust and make necessary arrangements so that public health is not harmed in any way. We are trying to keep the environment clean. We are giving them this time to adjust accordingly without any hurry,” Salem bin Mesmar, Director of Public Health Department in the Dubai Municipality, told Khaleej Times.

The municipality has also announced the commencement of the second phase of the programme to regulate smoking in public places in Dubai from November 18. This comes more than a month after smoking was regulated in the shopping malls across the emirate. The second phase would look into regulations in the restaurants, cafeterias and sheesha cafes.

Officials of the municipality’s Public Health Department held a meeting on Thursday with representatives of Dubai Police, Department of Health and Medical Services, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Department, Economic Development Department and Roads and Transport Authority.

The meeting discussed the measures to be taken to create awareness among the public about the regulation of smoking in public places. It also discussed ways to seek the cooperation of the public in the smooth implementation of the programme as well as their suggestions and ideas regarding further improvement.

The municipality will undertake public awareness campaign involving media advertisements ahead of the actual enforcement of the programme.

• UAE