Call for stricter laws on smoking in the UAE

A leading oncologist has called for stricter measures to combat smoking, especially shisha and medwakh smoking, in the UAE, according to a story by Mahak Mannan for 7Days.

Dr Mohammed Jaloudi, chief of medical oncology, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, told 7DAYS that the prevalence of lung cancer during the next 15 to 20 years could get worse if restrictions were not implemented.

Although smoking generally was the biggest cause for lung cancer, in the UAE it was shisha that was the big issue, said Jaloudi.

“The more control we have on people smoking, the more we can restrict the incidents of lung cancer,” he said.

He called for the implementation in the Emirates of graphic images on tobacco packs, and controls to combat passive smoking.

“In the West they have smoking restrictions everywhere – you cannot smoke in public buildings, near schools and there are very graphic images on cigarette packets,” he said.

“All these lead to a positive change in smoking behaviour. Here, we need more strict regulations not only on cigarettes but also shisha and medwakh.”