Hotels in the dark over proposed smoking ban

Hospitality chains across the country were in the dark over a proposed ban on smoking being banned in hotel rooms and restaurants from December.
 
The general manager of a top hotel chain in Dubai Marina conveyed surprise at the news, responding on the condition of anonymity, saying: “No official body has approached us as yet, but the news comes as a surprise. I can understand banning smoking in restaurants, which is simply an extension of the country’s stand on not allowing lighting up in public places.
 
“However, banning smoking in hotel rooms is a bit extreme. I’m not sure how this is going to be feasible but should such a law come into effect then we have no choice but to comply with the ministry request.”
 
Arabic daily, Al Ittihad, quoted Dr Widad Almaidour, head of the anti-smoking team at the Ministry of Health, as saying: “…The Ministry of Health and other competent authorities are now discussing this plan with the hotels. “The new decision means that smoking rooms at hotels must be outside the hotel building while the current rules allow smoking inside the hotel rooms.”
 
While most chains contacted were unaware of the move, another top official in a budget hotel chain in Dubai, who did not want to be named, said: “I don’t understand what this rule even means – smoking at hotels must be outside the building. So are we supposed to build a separate wing to accommodate smoking guests, or set up a port-a-cabin? We can’t really expect our guests to stand outside in the sweltering heat every time they want to light up.”
 
The move is similar to the ones passed in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin, which earlier this year passed statewide smoking bans in every hotel guestroom.
 
Meanwhile, hotel chain Starwood launched its own smoke-free initiative across all Sheraton and Four Points Sheraton hotels in the US and Canada in 2008. Marriott in US and Canada did the same in October 2006, but Westin Hotels pioneered the move in January of the same year, becoming the first chain to ban smoking in all locations in the US, Canada and the Caribbean. 

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