In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) began drafting an international treaty to decrease the supply and demand for tobacco worldwide. The United Arab Emirates signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 24, 2004. While the Convention does not call for a ban on smoking in public places, it does reflect a commitment to decrease the number of smokers worldwide.
In 2001, the Ministry of Health began to draft legislation that would not only ban smoking in public places but would also increase taxes and duties on tobacco products, forbid children younger than 18 from purchasing tobacco products and limit the ways tobacco companies could advertise.
The Dubai Department of Justice was one of the first government buildings to be smoke-free in November of 2002. In 2004, private office buildings became no-smoking areas, and companies allowing smoking could be fined. As of Sept. 15, 2007, it is illegal to smoke in a shopping mall in Dubai except in designated smoking areas. Cafes and restaurants may allow smoking, but only if they install special air filtration systems. Smoking is also prohibited in Dubai taxis as well.
On June 1, 2008, the emirate of Sharjah banned smoking in enclosed public places such as shopping malls, restaurants and other businesses. Outdoor spaces such as enclosed bus stops are also smoke-free.
In July of 2008, Abu Dhabi has committed to enforcing the smoking ban in public places such as malls, cafes and restaurants. But, the emirate has not instituted its own ban as of October 2009, instead waiting for the federal ban to take effect.
