Until 2020, the town of Brookline, Massachusetts was probably best known for being the birthplace of US president John F Kennedy and for having what American landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing in 1841 called “quite an Arcadian air of rural freedom and enjoyment”.
Three years ago, the authorities in this bucolic town of about 60,000 people decided that its “Arcadian air” would henceforth be unsullied by smoking and passed a bylaw that banned people born in the 21st century from buying tobacco products. Given the public health struggle over smoking that raged in the US for decades, it may come as a surprise to learn that Brookline’s tobacco-control measure was the first of its kind in the entire country. With the stroke of a pen, the town had gone from New England idyll to pioneering national health champion.
Critics of the ban, who included some local retailers, claimed that it ran contrary to Massachusetts state law that set the minimum age limit for buying tobacco at 21. A lawsuit followed but earlier this month the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld a lower court’s 2022 decision that found in favour of Brookline’s anti-smoking stance, describing it as “a rational alternative to an immediate and outright ban on sales of all tobacco products”.
Graduated, age-linked tobacco bans are among the toughest proposals to not just reduce the considerable harm done by tobacco but, in the long run, eliminate smoking altogether. Proponents say the generational phasing-out of smoking would save countless lives and billions in healthcare costs. The idea has been around for some time; as far back as 2014, the British Medical Association, a professional body for doctors in the UK, overwhelmingly voted in favour of a permanent ban on the sale of cigarettes to those born after 2000.
A ban on tobacco products to those born in the 21st century has gained traction in several countries. According to the World Economic Forum, Portugal, Canada, Australia, France, Mexico and the UK are among those nations that want to raise a smoke-free generation. In 2022, legislators in New Zealand went even further, introducing what were arguably the world’s strictest anti-tobacco laws that steadily increased the legal smoking age to stop those born after January 2009 from ever buying cigarettes legally.
With prevention being better than cure, it surely makes sense to develop an anti-tobacco strategy that not only helps current smokers fight their dependency, but also prevents people, especially the young, from developing an addiction in the first place. A gradual ban on tobacco stands on the shoulders of previous public-health strategies. Bans on smoking indoors and tobacco advertising in many countries have had a major effect in reducing the harm done by this addictive substance in almost all regions of the world – except the Middle East.
There are ethical issues about the personal freedom of adults to indulge in things that are bad for them, but if customers use tobacco as intended, they eventually sicken and die
Euromonitor International, a consultancy, released research in 2022 that showed the tobacco industry in the Middle East and North Africa was actually growing. The Middle East was the only region in its research with a predicted rise in cigarette sales and there was also a worrying predicted increase in the number of female smokers. This is in stark contrast to the US, where the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says that although tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the country, current smoking rates have declined from 20.9 per cent (nearly 21 of every 100 adults) in 2005 to 11.5 per cent in 2021.
Levels of tobacco use vary across the Mena region, but the UAE has been a leading nation when it comes to taking action. The country has clear – and enforced – laws that include, but are not limited to, sales taxes, a ban on tobacco advertising, health warnings on tobacco products and a ban on smoking in cars when children are present. Shisha cafes are forbidden to operate within 150 metres of residential areas, schools or mosques. Some emirates have additional laws; in 2008, Sharjah banned all kinds of smoking in public areas, including the smoking of shisha.
The results have been clear. According to the latest edition of the Tobacco Atlas, a global examination of smoking, the UAE has one of the lowest smoking rates in the Mena region. In 2022, the Oman Medical Journal said that “smoking prevalence in the UAE is reported to be lower than many other Middle East countries”.
So far, so good, but mitigating the damage done by tobacco cannot suffice. What is required globally is engineering a profound social and cultural change that may result in a future generation that looks upon the burning and inhaling of tobacco in the same way that we today might regard the taking of snuff. And for as long as tobacco use continues, the risks to people’s health are considerable. According to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, lung cancer remains the second-most common cancer among males in the UAE as well as the leading cause of all cancer-related deaths. Even more worryingly, it also warns that smoking rates among younger generations put young people at risk of lung cancer in the future.
It may be time to augment the current strategy of restriction, dissuasion and treatment with a preventive, graduated ban that essentially aims to banish smoking over the course of several generations. However, such steps – no matter how noble the intention – have to be carefully thought through.
Tobacco often provides a major source of revenue for national governments; removing it entirely one day may force countries to make up a significant shortfall elsewhere. A related caveat is that blanket bans often lead to unregulated, black-market trade. There is also the question of what form of tobacco is to be banned? The CDC says the prevalence of cigarette smoking among young people has declined over the past 30 years, but what of e-cigarettes, which are often touted as an anti-smoking aid? There are mounting concerns about the effects of vaping; a recent study from University College London examined samples that suggest vaping could cause similar damage to mouth DNA cells as smoking.
There is also the more ethical issue about the personal freedom of law-abiding adults to indulge in things that are bad for them. In this case, tobacco’s innately dangerous effects differentiate it from many other legal drugs. Its lethality was seized upon as a marketing wheeze in 1990s Britain, when the Enlightened Tobacco Company released a cigarette brand called Death, complete with black packaging that featured a skull and crossbones – the somewhat satirical implication being that if loyal customers used the product as intended, they would eventually sicken and die.
These concerns are capable of derailing efforts to reduce tobacco consumption. Last month, the New Zealand tobacco ban was reversed by a new government that had made clear its desire to remove the legislation, dismaying health campaigners. In California last year, Assembly Bill 935 – proposed legislation that aimed to ban all tobacco sales in the state to those born after 2007 – was tabled but later put on hold before eventually being restricted to flavoured tobacco, such as menthol cigarettes and candy-variety e-cigarettes.
Despite the challenges, the goal of a society that has largely thrown off the self-inflicted sickness, addiction and death caused by tobacco is a worthy one. Much has been done to cut smoking rates around the world, but there is a way to go yet. History may look back on a small New England town that decided that it was time to stub out the habit – for good.
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis
Rating: 3/5
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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ODI FIXTURE SCHEDULE
First ODI, October 22
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Second ODI, October 25
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Third ODI, October 29
Venue TBC
more from Janine di Giovanni
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
