DUBAI // The municipality yesterday announced a ban on smoking shisha at beaches, parks and other family areas as part of moves to stamp out smoking in public places.
The target forms part of Dubai's Strategic Plan for 2007 to 2015, which aims to protect public health and improve the quality of life for residents.
Salem bin Mismar, the assistant director general of the municipality's Health, Safety and Environment Department said yesterday that children who visit the city's parks, beaches and other recreational areas with their families were more likely to be harmed by people smoking there.
Mr bin Mismar urged shisha smokers to abide by the decision and to co-operate with those in charge of the areas.
Last year the authority banned shisha cafes from operating in neighbourhoods that have been classified as purely residential areas.
In mixed commercial and residential areas, cafes had to move smoking indoors and make changes to their ventilation systems. Outdoor shisha cafes in other areas must have special licences.
Cafes caught flouting the rules faced heavy fines and even closure.
News of the ban was welcomed by shisha smokers and non-smokers enjoying the fresh air at Jumeirah's public beach.
Sabryali el Khouly, 42, a non-smoker from Sharjah who was enjoying a picnic with his family and two young grandsons, said: "We would prefer this, of course. It's a good thing, a very nice thing not to have smoke around the children."
Kevin Stedman, 51, a British expatriate who has been in Dubai for five years, echoed those sentiments, although he said he had never seen anybody smoking on the beach.
"I don't think it's particularly nice when you are on a beach where there are a lot of children," Mr Stedman said.
Anees Jibreen, a 26-year-old Palestinian born and raised in the UAE, felt the move would make going to the beach more enjoyable.
"I smoke shisha but only at cafes," Mr Jibreen said. "However I don't think that the move will harm the public image. If I'm a tourist and I don't know what shisha is, I may think people are smoking other things on the beaches, which is not good.
"When you go to a beach you expect nice clean and fresh air and an environment which is relaxing. When you see people smoking shisha and you can smell it, then you don't feel relaxed.
"But people don't do it a lot any more. I would say only one in 50 for the past couple of years."
loatway@thenational.ae
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
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