Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, has banned all forms of tobacco ads, promotions, while curbs on smoking in hotels come into force in Dubai.

The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has banned advertising and promotion of tobacco use and of tobacco products in the emirate of Abu Dhabi with as of 18 January.
Sponsorship or any form of public or private contribution to any event, activity or individual with the aim of direct or indirect effect of promoting a tobacco product, is also banned under the new system.
In August 2009, the policy will be revised to ensure its efficacy.
In neighbouring Dubai, the third phase of the smoking regulations in public places— this time in hotels and hotel apartments — went into effect on 15 January.
Most of the hotels had already made arrangements to comply with the curbs though some said they had expected the implementation to come later in the year.
Dubai Municipality had earlier announced the regulations in shopping malls, restaurants, cafes and sheesha shops. The municipality had also announced that people caught smoking in undesignated areas would face heavy fines. (pi)