The Dubai Municipality (DM) has given a one-year ‘grace’ period to cafes that serve shisha or hookah in the open to make arrangements for indoor serving.

"We want them to adjust to the new rules and regulations announced in September. The cafes which serve shisha outdoors are being given a year’s time to adjust and make necessary arrangements so that public health is not harmed in any way," said Salem bin Mesmar, director of Public Health Department in the Dubai Municipality.
The municipality has also announced the commencement of the second phase of the programme to regulate smoking in public places in Dubai starting 18 November. This comes more than a month after smoking was regulated in the shopping malls across the emirate. The second phase would look into regulations in the restaurants, cafeterias and shisha cafes.
Officials of the municipality’s public health department held a meeting on 8 November with representatives of the Dubai Police, Department of Health and Medical Services, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Department, Economic Development Department and Roads and Transport Authority.
The meeting discussed the measures to be taken to create awareness among the public about the regulation of smoking in public places.
The municipality will undertake public awareness campaign involving media advertisements ahead of the actual enforcement of the programme. (sra)