Dubai: Gulf News readers were relieved they would no longer have to walk into clouds of cigarette smoke in public places, if a comprehensive smoking ban is approved.
The Ministry of Health is looking at halting the production of tobacco in the country and is considering extending the ban on smoking to all public areas such as beaches, following a series of workshops held with the World Health Organisation recently.
Akbar Ali, a Dubai resident, said: "This law is good for all non-smokers, women and especially children."
Munawar Aziz, a finance and administration executive, agreed: "Smoking should not only be banned in public places but everywhere possible." He added that such laws should be implemented in other countries as well.
Educational campaigns focusing specifically on women also won the support of readers.
Dr Alia Ahmad, a Dubai-based paediatrician, was optimistic about the initiative: "Smoking is increasing amongst young women and the government needs to target these group as it affects their children's health as well."
She added that as smoking has major repercussions for health and can be fatal, the authorities must take the appropriate measures to control its prevalence.
Aziz said: "By implementing such laws, the government is not only improving the health of the nation but also affecting each individual's personal health decisions."
Environment
Apart from benefits to health, banning smoking also has a positive impact on the environment.
For Dr Alia, the smoking ban on beaches is a good way to address the issue as it promotes better air quality.
She said: "Even though it's an important step, the other issue is how it is implemented, how dramatically it affects people and what results it leads to."
But despite measures to curb smoking, some readers were sceptical about its impact on smokers.
Mary Wairimu Nganga, a Kenyan front desk coordinator working in the health care industry, said: "Smoking depends on smokers. Even if smoking [is banned], it won't reduce, because people who want to smoke will smoke in private places."
Even as the UAE considers doubling the price of cigarettes to Dh14 per pack, it may have more serious consequences for those who refuse to give up smoking.
Abu Dhabi resident Geoff posted an online comment on gulfnews.com, voicing his doubt about the effectiveness of the price increase.
He wrote: "If governments really want to stop people smoking, stop making [cigarettes]."
