Cigars stubbed out at Zuma restaurants, cigarettes to follow later this year

One of Dubai’s best-known restaurants is set to become the first eatery in the UAE to completely ban smoking.

Zuma, which recently banished cigar smoking in its Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches, is likely to outlaw smoking in September or October, said managing director Ajaz Sheikh.

“The UAE needs to follow global smoking laws. There are so many tourists here, many of whom are surprised there is no division between smokers and non-smokers,” he said. Sheikh has been taking a tough line on smoking for at least 12 months. Last year he banned cigar smoking in the lounge of Zuma Dubai and extended that to the bar area at the start of this month.

Cigar smoking has been banned in Zuma Abu Dhabi since it opened several months ago. The restaurant is now likely to extend the ban to all types of smoking.

“It will likely come in September or October. Food is fundamental to what we do. Smoking can completely take from the dining experience,” he said. Sheikh said the cigar ban showed the anti-smoking drive was successful.

“A few people were upset. Some left, but eventually came back. It has not hurt sales at all,” he said. The announcement was welcomed by Dr Mark Janowski of the Dubai Physiotherapy and Family Medicine Clinic.

“It’s a very positive development,” he said. “Studies show that restaurant workers who inhale second-hand smoke are at increased risk of lung illnesses and cancer.”

sean@7days.ae