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Dubai: Efforts to ban shisha-smoking in public, included in the UAE draft anti-smoking law, have got a boost from a French report which found one shisha was equivalent to smoking 70 cigarettes.
The French anti-tobacco agency (OFT), citing a national laboratory report, said one session with shisha produced 70 litres of smoke, which had 27 to 102 times the carbon tar of a cigarette, and 15 to 52 times more carbon monoxide, depending on the type of shisha smoked.
Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the Anti-Smoking Committee responsible for drafting the law, told Gulf News that the study confirmed their suspicions.
"It gives a boost to our efforts. We always knew that shisha was dangerous, but we did not know by how much," she said.
"Shisha is a very new field so there have been very few studies done on it," other than studies done in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, she added.
Claims rubbished
Shisha, deeply associated with Arabic culture, is popular in the UAE and a draw with tourists. Shisha cafe operators have protested the proposed ban, which will only allow shisha-smoking at home.
They said the ban would adversely affect their business, the tourism industry and the economy. The proposal drew a mixed response from the public.
Dr Wedad said pooh-poohed businesses' claims, saying the public shisha ban in Sharjah and GCC countries have shown no adverse impact on their economy. "Their economy is growing despite the ban. [In fact] we are behind them in implementing the ban," she said.
She said the committee was working on an in-depth study on the draft law, requested by the Cabinet, addressed the possible effects of the ban on businesses, tourism industry and economy.
It also addresses increasing taxes and displaying bigger warning signs on tobacco products, limiting advertisements of tobacco products and reducing exposure to tobacco smoke.
Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, cardiologist at Dubai Hospital, hoped the findings would finally nail the health myths surrounding shisha.
"People think it is less dangerous to smoke shisha, because the water is supposed to filter the smoke. But that's not true," she said.
Anti-smoking: Draft law nears ratification
The draft law is close to becoming law, with only one step left. It is currently at the Cabinet level, which has to endorse it before going to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for ratification.
"After that, the law will pass," said Dr. Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the Anti-Smoking Committee.
As a signatory to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), the UAE is required to pass legislation and implement the minimum requirements agreed upon to reduce access and limit exposure.
Your comments
I think smoking is disgusting. Why should we have to suffer from second hand smoke? If the smokers are happy to kill themselves, they shouldn't drag non-smokers along!
Hanim
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 13:50
Shisha smoking is really bad for the health but most shisha smokers are insisting that it is much safer than cigarette smoking. Now that research has been established, I hope that everybody will be aware of how dangerous it is.
Farah
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 12:32
I have had a lung collapse at the age of 24 due to smoking cigarettes and shisha. I have quit since, and I have grown to dislike the smell.
Louie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 12:27
I smoke shisha about four times a week. I do not inhale it and I always take the light flavors. What led me to smoking shisha in the first place? The simple lack of alternative activities. Maybe that should be addressed before the ban further bores our unexciting lives.
Qazem
Ajman,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 11:55
I think that banning the shisha in Dubai is so unrealistic and heart breaking for people who are shisha lovers. I, for one, am upset. I hope they will not ban shisha in the UAE.
Manal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 09:29
Many shisha cafes are located in multi-story residential buildings and also they occupy footpaths and parking areas. I wonder how the authorities just ignore this.
Iqbal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 09:23
Shisha smoking is as lethal as cigarette smoking. Since Dubai is a city that truly cares, I am sure the authorities will not turn a blind eye to shisha smoking and will ban it for the welfare of smokers and non smokers.
Khaled
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 07:57
The ban should go on, even if there are claims that such may have negative impact on certain businesses. Dubai should not allow unhealthy businesses to operate, and for the sake of few individuals extra income in their pocket, deteriorate the health of non-smokers.
Karkain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 05, 2007, 06:55
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