Council members suspended discussions yesterday over an anti-smoking law, saying it was too confusing. Councillors were lost in speculations as they discussed the law, which is a combination of a new parliamentary proposal and an original draft proposed by the Health Ministry 14 years ago. It was presented to the council then, but was left in the file until the parliament reactivated it.
Council members initially approved the proposal two weeks ago, but last week decided to refer it back to the services committee for complete re-working.
Some objected to part of the draft, which stipulated that adults who smoke in cars with children aboard be prosecuted, saying it was not workable. Others said prosecuting people who smoke in malls and other closed areas would be even tougher, as courts demand that offenders be caught red-handed.
Health Ministry Assistant Under-Secretary for Primary Health Care and Public Health Dr Mariam Al Jalahma warned councillors that the law did not take into consideration any future advancements in the tobacco field, such as e-cigarettes, the sale of which has been restricted in some countries. These are gaining popularity amongst the young people of the Gulf and the law should be amended to deal with them, she said.
Councillors were also upset with the punishments directed towards major outlets that violated the law, saying that they were too light. Under the proposed law, traders who sell tobacco to children under 14 years could face up to six months in jail. Places which fail to properly separate smoking and non-smoking areas or violate smoking restrictions would be fined from BD100 to BD1,000 and closed for up to three months for repeated offences. People who smoke in closed areas, including buses and malls would face fines of BD50 to BD100.
A national anti-smoking authority, chaired by the Health Minister, would be formed to implement and supervise the law. Parliament voted in favour of the new law in February and if approved by the council, it will be ratified by His Majesty King Hamad.
The law will be referred back to parliament, once the council finalises its draft. Council public utilities and environment affairs committee's Faoud Al Hajji said the law stipulated that shops could only sell cigarettesin packs of 20s. "The ban is illogical, because those who are used to buying four cigarettes, would be now forced to buy a pack," he said. "Do we want to kill people faster?"
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