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THE Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of Law No. 10 of 2016 on the control of tobacco and its derivatives, which prohibits smoking in closed public spaces, including smoking in cars with minors that can lead to a fine of up to QR3,000.
The campaign aims to encourage residents to follow the tobacco control laws and to emphasise the penalties for any violations of these laws, in addition to promoting the Tobacco Violations Hotline Number where the public can call the Tobacco Inspection Team to report violations of the Tobacco Law.
Director of Public Health Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Thani, said, “Smoking is a significant public health concern in the State of Qatar and, therefore, it is vital that we increase our efforts to combat tobacco use. The National Health Strategy 2018-2022 sets a target of reducing the prevalence of smoking, and achieving this includes enforcement of our tobacco control law; which is not only designed to reduce tobacco consumption in Qatar, but also to protect non-smokers such as children who are exposed to harmful second-hand smoke.”
Shops that allow indoor tobacco use or allow the sale of tobacco products to minors can face steep fines and up to three months’ closure. The law also prohibits advertising or promotions of tobacco products, the use of Sweika and other chewing tobacco products and bans the sales of electronic cigarettes.
Head of Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Diseases at MoPH Dr Kholood al Mutawa said, “By informing the public about the tobacco control law and the consequences of violating it, we better equip the population to understand the rules and the importance of creating a tobacco free environment.”
Dr Kholood also stressed that secondhand smoke is a major health risk in particular to children and young people being exposed to it. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and it is important people are protected from the harms of second hand smoke. Everyone has the right to live in a smoke-free environment away from the harms caused by tobacco and by discouraging smoking in public we can work towards this goal of a healthier nation. (QNA)
The campaign aims to encourage residents to follow the tobacco control laws and to emphasise the penalties for any violations of these laws, in addition to promoting the Tobacco Violations Hotline Number where the public can call the Tobacco Inspection Team to report violations of the Tobacco Law.
Director of Public Health Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad al Thani, said, “Smoking is a significant public health concern in the State of Qatar and, therefore, it is vital that we increase our efforts to combat tobacco use. The National Health Strategy 2018-2022 sets a target of reducing the prevalence of smoking, and achieving this includes enforcement of our tobacco control law; which is not only designed to reduce tobacco consumption in Qatar, but also to protect non-smokers such as children who are exposed to harmful second-hand smoke.”
Shops that allow indoor tobacco use or allow the sale of tobacco products to minors can face steep fines and up to three months’ closure. The law also prohibits advertising or promotions of tobacco products, the use of Sweika and other chewing tobacco products and bans the sales of electronic cigarettes.
Head of Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Diseases at MoPH Dr Kholood al Mutawa said, “By informing the public about the tobacco control law and the consequences of violating it, we better equip the population to understand the rules and the importance of creating a tobacco free environment.”
Dr Kholood also stressed that secondhand smoke is a major health risk in particular to children and young people being exposed to it. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and it is important people are protected from the harms of second hand smoke. Everyone has the right to live in a smoke-free environment away from the harms caused by tobacco and by discouraging smoking in public we can work towards this goal of a healthier nation. (QNA)
