Goal 3 / 3.3 / 3.3.6
Does your university as a body have a 'smoke-free' policy?
3.3.6 Does your university as a body have a 'smoke-free' policy?
Decree-Law No. (10) regarding the fight against smoking.
The cultivation of tobacco in all its forms is prohibited in Bahrain.
Smoking at Ahlia University’[1]
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Student-Handbook_Nov2020_WEB.pdf
’In line with the laws of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Ahlia University ensures that it has a clean and healthy environment by prohibiting smoking on campus.
Regulation’[2]
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/regulations/
Ahlia campus is accredited by civil defense safety regulations
Ahlia campus is a nonsmoking campus
Ahlia University considers health an important priority for building capacity for education. Student’s performance depends on their health conditions to study and excel in their courses. Within the premises of the University, Ahlia has already established the safety department to minimize the risk of health hazards and ensure the safety of students and employees. Alarm systems have been installed across the University campus and emergency medical boxes are provided in case of emergency [3].
The Department of Physiotherapy has been heavily involved in a number of issues related to health not only to increase student awareness about the importance of health in the national development but also conducting research to identify some of the health problems commons in our society. To strengthen the University's capabilities in research, Ahlia faculty members have already established channels of cooperation and collaboration with both local and foreign universities and hospitals allowing knowledge transfer and information dissemination. Bahrain is promoting tourism and the mobility of people could always result in human contacts leading to the spread of diseases. Ahlia's future strategy is to support studies in health sciences in order to increase the countries' capabilities to improve health and strengthen the fundamentals for implementing Sustainable Development Goals [3].
Mutual care is a philosophy that the University promotes, for several years, in the university community. Therefore, each initiative or decision of the Institution is designed to motivate the care of oneself, others and the environment. And the reception of this purpose is also evidenced by having a smoke-free campus that contributes to well-being [3].
Regarding smoke-free places, smoking is strictly prohibited in all Ahlia Campus premises, considering and abiding by this instruction is a must for all staff and students. The act of non-smoking inside all campus facilities (including fire exit areas) is mandatory by higher education council (find an attached non-smoking letter from Higher Education Commission - HEC)’[4].
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) in 2015’[4].
Where environmental and health representatives also seconded the idea and vowed to increase their efforts to eliminate tobacco use not just from the capital but from all over the country’[4].
The seminar, organized by the HEC in collaboration with members of the Tobacco-Smoke Free Capital (TSFC) of the division, aimed at creating awareness among youth’[4].
In a ceremony, HEC chairperson Dr Mukhtar Ahmed declared the commission premises a smoke-free facility. Ahmed said that the HEC was also going to send letters to all the universities asking them to declare their premises smoke-free. He said that universities should frequently arrange sports events to encourage a healthier lifestyle’[4].
Research At Ahlia’[5]
Type: Journal
Title:
The relationship between smoking and body mass index among Ahlia University Bahrain students: A cross sectional study
Authors: Fatima Mahdi Yusif Al-Jishi, Fajer Abdulla Al-Moosa
Issue date: 2019
Field: 16(2):.
Publisher: Innovative Scientific Information & Services Network
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Page (From): 1053
Page (To): 1059
ISSN:
2218-3973
Admin services directorate - Emergency response guide
Ahlia University ensures that the policy is well implemented through on-campus signage, smokers can use the smoking area outside the campus and avoid violating with the law’[6].
Smoking is one of the emergency types above which is fire, in fact it is it a well-known risk to fire in close or open environment. Upon Amiri decree low no (10) of 1994 smoking is prohibited in public area. Thus, is it not permitted anywhere on the University’s campus or other premises.
The relationship between smoking and body mass index among Ahlia University Bahrain students: A cross sectional study’[7]
Figure 5. The relationship between smoking and body mass index among Ahlia University Bahrain students Paper taken from [7]
Bahrain introduces strict new anti-smoking laws’[8]
The law, ratified by Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifah on Monday, bans smoking in indoor public places, including restaurants, cafes, hotels and hair salons, and on public transport and in private cars - where there are children. However, it is unclear whether smoking in the outside spaces of cafes and restaurants, or public parks, will also be restricted.
The new legislation clearly outlaws the advertising of cigarettes and the promotion of tobacco-products by manufacturing and importing companies at sports events, with even gift-giving banned, according to UAE daily Gulf News.
Cigarettes can no longer be sold to anyone under the age of 18 years with shopkeepers urged to ask for proof of age if in doubt. "No Smoking" signs should be displayed in prominent positions in all prohibited places, and people working in the establishments will be charged with ensuring compliance.
UCI & Ahlia Insurance Launch Anti-Public Smoking Campaign in Palestine
Under the sponsorship of Ahlia Insurance Company, UCI, TABO, MG and Fitafe Restaurant, the campaign demands the implementation of an existing law that bans smoking in public places. UCI and Ahlia Insurance have created an online petition at www.stopsmoking.ps as part of the movement, which was born from the companies’ shared belief in collective social responsibility, to further their role and commitment to the development of Palestinian society’[9].
’While many nations around the world are joining a groundswell of opposition to smoking in public areas, smoking in Palestine is only increasing and continues to afflict our beloved society. It has degenerated into a wide-scale humanitarian issue that continues to affect public health in shocking and devastating ways,’ said Eng. Sabawi.
’The smoking epidemic is a serious humanitarian problem, alongside a health, social, economic and psychological issue that threatens Palestinian society. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing more than 7 million people a year,’ he added.
Due to the COVID-19 contingency, different aspects have been applied for the spaces found in the university, shown as follows [10]:
Figure 8. Covid 19 Guidelines Taken from [10]
Figure 9. Stationary for students, ’Taken from [10]
Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Health
Laws:
-Law No. (8) of 2009 on the fight against smoking and tobacco of all kinds
-Resolution No. (3) for 2011 on tobacco advertising and promotion controls and products
Conventions:
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
WHO FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL
Laws - Ministry of Health (moh.gov.bh)
’ With the participation of all relevant authorities, the Ministry of Health seeks to ensure the provision of high quality, organized and integrated health services, fair, sustainable and accessible to the entire population of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Ministry of Health plays a key role in the development and follow-up of health policies and ensures that resources are optimized as efficiently and effectively as possible for health care with reliable, evidence-based and scientific evidence-based standards.
’ Statement on the occasion of World Tobacco No Tobacco Day 2017 under the slogan "Tobacco - a threat to development." Health: Emphasizes continued efforts and new achievements in the fight against smoking and tobacco
Ministry of Health’[11]
https://www.moh.gov.bh/Blog/Article/Details/59
As for the policy of protecting people from tobacco harm, which means the establishment of completely smoke-free places in health-care and educational facilities and in all indoor public places, including workplaces and restaurants, article 4 of the Anti-Smoking and Tobacco Act prohibits smoking in all closed public places, and article 8 prohibits the entry of persons under the age of 18 to places reserved for smokers, even if they are accompanied by their parents.
In addition, judicial control has been granted to inspectors of the Department of Public Health, which empowers them to follow up on the implementation of the Anti-Smoking and Tobacco Act, control offenders and transfer them to the Public Prosecutor's Office to take the necessary legal action against them.
A package of resolutions has also been adopted and issued, the most important of which is the issuance of resolution No. 2 for 2011 on the requirements to be met in places for in-restaurant smoking, Resolution 3 of 2011 on tobacco advertising and promotion controls and productions, and Resolution 58 of 2010 on the prohibition of the import of Indian milk, materials in its manufacture and similar materials.
A proposal has been submitted by the National Anti-Smoking and Tobacco Commission to amend and update the Anti-Smoking and Tobacco Act and Resolution 2, the most prominent amendments will include stiffer penalties for violators and a proposal to repeal Section C of Article IV, which allows for the allocation of indoor smoking places so that they become completely tobacco-free.
National Committee against Smoking and Tobacco of All Kinds and Products’[12]
About the Committee
The National Committee against Smoking and Tobacco of All Kinds and Products was established under Royal Decree No. (8) of 2009 issued by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the fight against smoking and tobacco of all kinds, where article 16 of the Act states:
"A committee called the National Committee against Smoking and Tobacco of All Kinds and Products is established under the chairmanship of the Ministry and the membership of representatives of ministries and related entities to be named by a decision of the Council of Ministers. The Committee has an internal regulation by which a decision is issued by the Minister regulating the functioning of its work, in particular the determination of its meetings, the majority necessary for its health, how its decisions are made and how they are voted on."
12.Design and implement effective programs in places such as educational institutions, health-care facilities, workplaces and the sports community with the aim of encouraging tobacco cessation.
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