Bahrain takes anti-smoking message to causeway 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Bahraini Ministry of Health has distributed over 100,000 brochures at the King Fahd Causeway detailing the harmful effects of smoking and places on the island where smoking is prohibited.

"We have seen a great response through our campaign at the causeway. Smoking has been prohibited in Bahraini malls and we now plan to extend the ban to restaurants," said Dr. Mariam Al-Jalahma, assistant undersecretary of public health and primary care at the Ministry of Health.

Al-Jalahma said that according to new regulations, restaurants are required to have smoking and no smoking areas, including separate areas for children. Under the current practice, anti-smoking brochures in Arabic and English are distributed at the King Fahd Causeway's toll counter among those entering Bahrain.

Al-Jalahma, who is also vice chairman of the National Anti-Smoking Committee, said announcements are made at toll counters saying there is a ban on smoking in Bahraini malls and in specified areas on the island.

Health officials recently caught over 3,000 underage smokers. There is no legal age for smoking in Bahrain, which follows guidelines set by the World Health Organization that has set the minimum smoking age at 18.

The Ministry of Health is also working on strategies to target corner shops in residential areas that sell cigarettes to minors.

The Bahraini Ministry of Health in 2007 enforced a ban on smoking in malls and government offices. In 2005, lawmakers proposed a price hike for tobacco products based on standards in Western countries and the European Union. The Bahraini authorities are awaiting a decision by the GCC health ministers in this regard, Al-Jalahma said, adding that they have proposed a 200 percent tax to discourage smoking.