World No Tobacco Day is celebrated worldwide every year on May 31. The day aims to encourage a 24-hour abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe.
The day also aims to draw global attention to the prevalence and negative health effects of tobacco use, which currently accounts for 5.4 million deaths per year worldwide.
Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) established World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) in 1987. Over the past two decades, the day has faced both enthusiasm and resistance from governments, public health agencies, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry around the world.
“The measure aims to spread awareness about the dangers of tobacco smoking and make people think about the risks of tobacco consumption, as it takes the lives of millions of people and has a negative impact on public health,” Reda said.
“The civic body announced a programme to control smoking in public places on May 31, 2007. We recognised many individuals and establishments who have taken firm steps against smoking to promote a healthy lifestyle in society,” he added.
In support of the city’s ‘Smoke-Free Dubai’ initiative, 283 businesses including shops, hypermarkets, supermarkets, 52 Emirates petrol stations and 85 ENOC and EPPCO petrol stations will take part in the campaign. All restaurants and cafes are expected to cooperate with city authorities and join the campaign by ceasing the sale of tobacco products during the day.
The UAE joined the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 24, 2003, and ratified it on November 7, 2005. With this move, the UAE enacted its own anti-tobacco laws.
In 2007, Dubai Municipality issued a guide to help the city’s shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, cafes and other public venues effectively control smoking in public places. It also banned the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 18.