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29 March 2024

Possible total ban on smoking inside cars

Published
By Staff

Drivers who throw lit cigarettes out of cars will be fined Dh500 and have four black points added to their traffic record under a new anti-smoking federal law in the UAE, Dubai’s Traffic Police chief was reported on Saturday as saying.

Some motorists have already been punished for such offences, while another law will totally ban smoking inside cars when it is enforced at the start of 2014, Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen said, was quoted by Dubai-based daily 'Al Bayan' as saying.

He said the UAE had already banned smoking inside cars in the presence of children under the age of 12 and there are plans to tighten that rule to include a total ban on smoking inside cars while moving.

Zafeen said he had personally fined some motorists after catching them throwing lit cigarette butts out of their vehicles while driving.

“Parents and relatives who smoke inside cars are perpetrating a crime against their children and this has prompted us to issue tough laws in this respect. There is also a law involving Dh500 fine and four black points for those who throw cigarettes out of cars.

“I, myself ,have punished some drivers for such offences,” he said.
Zafeen said police are authorised to issue tickets for drivers who commit such offences in their presence or in their absence.

“The anti-smoking law also includes punishment of those who smoke inside cars and it will be enforced at the start of next year,” he said.