The tough new rules governing Abu Dhabi's shisha cafes, which will finally come into effect early next year, are important for the future well-being of the emirate and its people.
As The National reported last week, after an extended deadline given to cafe owners, the rules will be fully enforced by the Department of Economic Development from January 31. Those who break the law will face fines of up to Dh1 million, two years in jail and closure of their businesses.
The rules – which ban shisha cafes from operating within 150 metres of residential areas, schools and mosques – are not only important for public health, but also for the shielding neighbourhoods from the disruption to life caused by patrons of shisha cafe. The ban should also go some way in ending the traffic melee that occur around cafes.
The requirement that cafe owners display signs outside their premises stating that they cannot serve shisha to people younger than 18 is also welcome – although this must be followed by regular inspections to ensure compliance.
These regulations come at time of a growing trend towards shisha smoking in the country and the region, despite evidence of the health dangers.
Recent studies have shown that the inhaled smoke from a one-hour water pipe session can contain as much tar as up to 600 cigarettes and as much carbon monoxide as 150 cigarettes, depending on the brand.
A report by the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, a World Health Organization initiative, found that water pipe smoking is dramatically increasing, especially among Arab youth, and it has now replaced cigarettes as the most common form of tobacco use. In the UAE, shisha smoking among 13- to 15-year-olds is far higher than the use of cigarettes.
There can be no doubt about the medical evidence. Government figures show that about a quarter of all deaths in the UAE are directly linked to smoking-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
It’s time for people to reconsider not only their use of the water pipe but of all tobacco-related products. When a habit such as smoking shisha has an impact not only the user, but on the entire public health system, regulations such as these are not just desirable for the common good, they are essential.
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Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
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Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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