Legal committee to study draft law on tobacco

DOHA: A stricter law to control the use of tobacco and its derivatives, including ‘sheesha’, by people in the country is on the anvil.

The Advisory Council, at its weekly meeting yesterday, reviewed a draft law on tobacco use and referred it to its legal committee for detailed study.
The committee has been asked to submit an extensive report on the draft legislation to the House for in-depth debate.
The draft law was discussed by public health authorities at length and earlier media reports suggested that non-Qatari inspectors may also be roped in to control smoking and all the inspectors may be armed with more powers to crack down on smokers.
Malls and hypermarkets may likely be given the authority to fine smokers in their premises, it was reported earlier.
Qatar has already banned smoking in public places and there has been a chorus of demand to crack down on ‘sheesha’ joints as well.
Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that the Advisory Council held its weekly meeting presided over by speaker, H E Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi.

The Peninsula