Dr Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director of KV and DIAC, told Khaleej Times, “We take the 'no smoking' policy here very seriously. In the event of first and second violations, we will notify the business partner. However, the third violation would result in de-licensing of the partner.”

About 20 institutes and several companies are situated in the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (TECOM).

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Though DIAC and KV, both members of TECOM investments, have been adhering to the 'no smoking' policy for the past two years, they have renewed their commitment to the regulation, in the light of the recent steps taken by the government to stop smoking in public places.

While the the DIAC and KV policy states that there should be no smoking in indoor locations, except in designated areas, there are no curbs on people who wish to smoke outdoor (outside the campus). To ensure that universities and other companies follow the guidelines, posters and 'No smoking' signs have been put up inside offices and colleges.

Passive risk

The reason for the strict enforcement, he noted, was to protect others from the ill-effects and hazards of passive smoking, while simultaneously protecting valuable assets from the risk of fire and smoke. “All the universities have their own strict enforcement procedures and do not allow smoking within their premises,” he said.

Heads of institutes like the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) and BITS, Pilani-Dubai, also take a serious view of the use of tobacco on their campus. “As such, for the last seven years smoking has not been permitted in our campus,” says BITS Director M. Ramachandran.

“The first time anybody is found smoking, we counsel them and for repeat violations, we nominally fine them. However, students and the faculty cooperate and ensure that they follow the rules,” he said.

The CEO of UOWD, Nick van der Walt, also noted that his organisation, too, discouraged smoking on the campus. Dubai Municipality has clearly stated that smoking is banned in all the educational institutions. “It is the responsibility of the authorities of the educational institutions to keep a smoke-free environment. Dubai Municipality inspectors are keeping a check through regular inspections,” said an official from the Clinics and Medical Services Section in Dubai Municipality.