Dubai Cafes Shut Down for Tobacco Law Violations

Source from:  Gulf News via Yahoo Maktoob News 11/13/2014

Another list of violating cafes being drawn up for authorities Dubai Municipality has taken action to shut down 15 cafes that have violated the anti-tobacco law, national news agency Wam reported on Tuesday.

The cafes were previously issued a warning by the municipality and were given a deadline to rectify their situation.

It was not immediately clear what the violations were. However, the municipality is enforcing the federal tobacco law after a grace period to comply with provisions of the law recently expired.

The rules govern aspects such as places where shisha can be served, how close they can be to residential units and schools, and other requirements.

The cafes had failed to resolve outstanding issues, and the municipality referred them to the Department of Economic Development for necessary legal action.

Salem Mesmar, assistant director-general of Dubai Municipality for environment, public health and safety section, said the municipality is committed to implementing the executive regulations of the anti-tobacco law, adding that the law has given the municipality the authority to govern cafes.

Marwan Al Mohammad, director of the public health section at the municipality's public health and safety department, on Tuesday added that another group of cafes have also been notified due to violations of the anti-tobacco law. Within two days another list will be prepared with the names of these cafes for further action.

He pointed out that the law was published in the official gazette and in the media, which served as an official notification to the cafes. Enditem