Not a cloud of smoke could be seen hovering over the mall crowds this past week. With the official smoking ban yet to be implemented formally, maybe it's finally happening – Abu Dhabi is on its way to becoming a smoke-free environment.
Let's see what the people in then malls have to say about the proposed ban ...
Nilay Ozral: I've just got three words to say about the ban: I love it! Seriously though, it's good to leave a venue not smelling completely of smoke for a change, in my hair or on my clothes. I love it!
Lemis Omer: I'm a smoker and I hate the new rules about non-smoking places, especially in the malls. There has to be some place for us smokers to go to smoke in between shopping or on our lunch break – it’s getting hot now and we're going to be sweating to death if you have to go outside. This is discrimination and I hate it!
Martha Yohannes: I'm very happy for the smoking ban because smoking is dangerous. It's great for me too – as a non-smoker and waitress here at Mugg and Bean, I have no choice but to take in secondhand smoke from customers. It's true we seem to have fewer customers coming here now, but I hope it will encourage people to smoke less. I'm sure the old customers will get used to it and come back.
Adam Martowski: I hate smoking! First of all I don't smoke: no one in my family has for ages: and so this is why I completely agree with the ban.
Ubayathulla Abdul Rahim: For non-smokers like me, it's really great. It helps us out a lot!
Syaiful Bachri: I agree 100 percent with the ban because it's good for all parties involved healthwise. We should keep this law because it's better for everyone.
Mark David Mendoza: I'm a healthcare worker and a non-smoker, so I believe that secondhand smoke is more dangerous than firsthand. This policy should remain in the UAE. I believe that everyone can benefit from this.
Abilash K: I think it's good. Smoking is bad for everyone, whether you smoke or not so the new rule is great for the health of the people in general, especially the kids: a lot of kids come to malls. Maybe they should provide some smoking zones in the mall: that's okay for someone who really needs to smoke.
Claudette West: Prohibiting smoking indoors has been the law in many other countries for a very long time so it's no surprise that they've brought it here. But as for smoking outside, the ban is still very unclear at this stage with regard to the sites outdoors we can smoke and the sorts of penalties involved –they need to provide better communication with that. But I think on a whole, the smoking ban is on par with other countries.
Kishor Andrade: Banning smoking in public buildings is advisable: good for both smokers and non-smokers. It makes sense. As smokers we can live with that.
