Inspectors detect 414 smoking violations at malls Monday, 17 May 2010 06:58

DOHA: Inspection teams of Tobacco Control Unit of Public Health Department have controlled 414 smoking violations in shopping malls since the launch of the intensive anti –smoking campaign last march, Supreme Council of Health (SCH) revealed.

SCH has increased the number of the health inspectors to seven and field trips to 261.

The trained volunteers increased to four in line with a deliberate systematic plan, said Mohammed bin Hamad al Thani, Manager of Public Health Department of SCH.

Tobacco control intensive campaign was launched to activate 2002 Law No. (20) regulating the control of tobacco products.

“All SCH departments continue broader efforts to activate the law to curb the spread of smoking in the country. SCH conducts simultaneous educational campaigns to highlight risks of smoking and tobacco on people even on non-smokers,” Al Thani said.

Shopping malls were selected for the enforcement of anti-smoking law for being one of the public places frequented by most community segments of all ages. Inspection trips are continuing through day and evening shifts to control the law violators.

Anti- smoking campaigns are not intended to put pressure on people as some people claim but to maintain their health from the risk of death-causing diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular, and stroke, he said. The Peninsula

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