The federal tobacco control law is expected to be implemented by the end of the year once the federal national council holds deliberations on various aspects of the legislation.

The draft law has seen several delays since the ministry of health announced its intention to pass a tobacco control law for the UAE in keeping with the country's commitment to the World Health Organisation Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.
Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, head of the national tobacco control committee, said that the draft law has been scheduled for debate on November 11. The next step is to submit it to the cabinet for discussion before ratification by the UAE President.
Wedad added that the ministry would be conducting a study on the prevalence of tobacco use in the UAE in October to determine whether tobacco control efforts in the country have achieved desired impact.
The draft law will not ban shisha cafes as originally intended, but will instead limit their operation. It proposes that shisha cafes be operated on the ground floor outdoors but bans any shisha cafe from operating in residential buildings. (sra)