Sunday, Feb 19, 2017

Dubai: Authorities closed down a cafe in Dubai after inspectors found it serving shisha illegally.

Dubai Municipality announced on Sunday that it had shut down one establishment and issued fines to 74 others for providing smoking facilities in amusement and entertainment areas.

Redha Salman, Director of Health and Safety Department of Dubai Municipality, said: “The municipality has banned smoking in all places of entertainment in the emirate, which include billiards and snooker halls, electronic games areas and internet cafés.”

Salman explained that during the month of January, the department carried out 200 inspections and slapped Dh122,000 in fines against the 74 cafés for flouting the municipality’s rules.

Meanwhile, 73 other cafés were issued permits to have designated smoking areas.

“The municipality’s inspection campaigns on coffee shops in Dubai were conducted to confirm they are abiding by the provisions of the Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 on Tobacco Control and its Executive Order No. 24 of 2013, after it came into force,” said Salman

He pointed out that the municipality is going ahead with its plan to enforce stricter control and to increase the number of inspections carried out, with specific attention being paid to establishments whose smoking permits have expired for over six months.

“The municipality spoke to the Economic Development Department last month, asking it not to renew the licenses of 119 cafés and to close down their activities for violating the terms of the Federal Law on Tobacco Control,” said Salman.

He also said that 571 cafés were issued fines during the municipality’s most recent inspection campaign, which was carried out last December.

Where is shisha banned?

1.The law prohibits offering shishas in cafés near mosques, educational institutions, clubs and residential areas

2.Offering shishas without permission from Dubai Municipality

3.Violating items in the permits

4.The presence of children less than 18 years inside the cafés is not allowed

By Mariam M. Al Serkal Senior Web Reporter

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