Sharjah bans tobacco sale close to residential areas

Shops in Sharjah have been told to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products near schools and close to residential areas in line with a federal law that will be enforced in early 2014 to curb tobacco consumption in the UAE.

In a circular, the emirate’s municipality told thousands of local groceries and other shopping outlets to immediately stop selling tobacco near schools, inside residential areas, and close to mosques as well as educational and health establishments.

The decision, which was enforced on Monday, also stimulated shops must obtain permits from the competent authorities for their tobacco trade and ensure all their tobacco products must be placed away from children items, foodstuffs and sport products. The shops were also told to make sure their tobacco items must be placed at the farthest point from the payment point inside the shop.

“Shops must not sell any tobacco products within 100 metres from any religious site and 150 metres from the entrances of nurseries, kindergartens, schools and universities,” said the decision, which was reported by Al Bayan newspaper.

“Shops are also not allowed to promote tobacco products online or through festivities…they must also not offer any discounts on such products.”

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