Qatar keeping smoking at bay

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health looks set to propose that a tobacco smoking ban is brought in that includes the entrances and exits to at least certain public buildings, according to a story in the Gulf Times.

“This is a recommendation from us,” Dr. Kholood al- Mutawaa, the head of the ministry’s Non-Communicable Disease Department and the regional officer for Tobacco Cessation, was quoted as saying.

“We hope to implement it at leading facilities in the country.”

This is not a new proposal. It was raised last year and ministry officials at that time had meetings with representatives of the Qatar Tourism Authority, malls and other organizations.

“It is not just a health issue alone,” said al- Mutawaa. “It is not a suitable practice and definitely not environment friendly. If any VIPs visit these places, they might see people engaged in smoking in the vicinity of these places which might give a bad image.”