UAE might go for smoking ban in cars

The United Arab Emirates could ban smoking inside cars if a proposal by the Dubai traffic police chief is taken up, according to an Emirates247.com story.

Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, who heads the Federal Traffic Council, said he would shortly make a recommendation to the council for a total ban on smoking inside cars and the introduction of penalties for violators.

“Smoking must be totally banned inside cars because smoking is not less dangerous than using mobile phones while driving as both need to be used by the two hands,” he was said to have told the Arabic language daily Al Bayan.

He said smoking was now a key cause of serious accidents.

And he added that most smoking drivers did not comply with rules requiring them not to smoke at petrol stations.