Dubai's shopping centres are advising smokers to step outside today as the ban on lighting up in malls takes effect.
Smoking will not be tolerated in any areas of the mall including food courts and coffee shops following a Dubai Municipality order.
But despite instructions to ensure centres offer smoking rooms, no designated areas have been set up yet.
Matthews Thomas, marketing manager for Lamcy Plaza, said: "Dubai municipality has given malls three months to decide about creating a separate smoking room.
"For the time being we have decided against creating one. Meanwhile posters will be put up either tonight or tomorrow morning informing the public about the new ban." Malls have issued strict guidelines to their staff to ensure this latest ban succeeds. Similar smoking rules were announced by the civic officials in 1998 and 2002 but failed to take off.
However, this time around, special Dubai Municipality inspectors have been deployed in most malls to ensure the rules are followed.
Anyone caught lighting up will be ordered to leave. If they fail to comply, police will be called. "There are CID officials who often make their rounds here. In case of problems with smokers we have been asked to call the police or the CID," said one security guard at Deira City Centre.
Yesterday Emirates Today found no signs warning the public about the rule and the ashtrays - fitted above mall bins - remained in place.
While some smokers welcomed the new rule, others were more sceptical about its success. "I am a smoker but I feel that others in the mall have the right to stay away from smoke," said Reny Pampolina, 35, from the Phillipines. "Although I am not very happy with the decision, I still respect the law and will abide by it." Ahmad Abbas, 38, from India, said: "It has failed twice before and I don't think this time will be any different. Initially people will be enthusiastic about implementing it. But slowly things will go back to normal."
JOSEPH GEORGE
© Emirates Today 2007
