Smoking Ban Violators will be Fined Dh5,000 or More

RAS AL KHAIMAH Violators of the ban on smoking in public places in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which went into effect on Sunday, would be fined Dh5,000 or more, said a municipality official.

The ban would apply to hotels, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, sports halls, men and women’s salons and other enclosed public places, said Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality.

The ban is intended to protect the health of non-smokers from second-hand smoke (passive-smoking).

Special rooms would be designated for smokers, especially in hotels and shopping malls, he noted.

He stressed that like Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, which had successfully enforced the ban on smoking in public places, Ras Al Khaimah, too, would ensure that people abide by smoking regulations.