The ruler of Sharjah, the third largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, has banned smoking in all public places in the emirate.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, has issued a decision banning smoking in all public places from 1 June 2008. Smoking will be prohibited on public transport, public rest rooms, amusement centres, hospitals and health facilities, as well as in waiting areas in facilities, hotels, hotel apartments, enclosed shopping malls, restaurants and coffee shops, enclosed entertainment places like cinemas and theatres, enclosed parking spaces, stores, exhibition areas, beauty and hair-cutting salons, health clubs and assembly halls and conference rooms.
Violation of the ban will attract fines of AED 1,000 (EUR 176) for individuals and AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 for establishments like hotels and salons that allow smoking.
The civic body will install signboards in public areas where smoking is banned which will display a telephone number on which people can report violation by anybody.
A large number of inspectors will be hired soon to monitor the implementation of the ban in all parts of Sharjah. (sra)