Creating a Healthier Environment: MoHAP’s Tobacco-Free Workplace Guide
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has taken a significant step towards promoting a healthier work environment by launching the “Tobacco-Free Workplace Guide.” The initiative, announced on June 10, 2024, aims to create smoke-free workplaces across the nation, enhancing employee well-being and reducing the health risks associated with tobacco use.
Promoting a Healthier Workplace
The Tobacco-Free Workplace Guide is a comprehensive resource designed to assist organizations in implementing effective smoke-free policies. It provides practical steps and strategies to help employers establish and maintain a tobacco-free environment, ensuring the health and safety of their employees.
Key Features of the Guide
Comprehensive Framework
The guide offers a detailed framework for organizations to follow, including the development of a tobacco-free policy, employee education, and support programs for those who wish to quit smoking. It also includes guidelines on creating designated smoking areas away from non-smokers and maintaining compliance with UAE tobacco control laws.
Employee Support Programs
Recognizing the challenges employees face when trying to quit smoking, MoHAP’s guide emphasizes the importance of support programs. It recommends providing access to smoking cessation resources, such as counseling services, nicotine replacement therapies, and support groups, to help employees succeed in their efforts to quit.
Health and Safety Focus
By advocating for smoke-free workplaces, the guide aims to reduce the health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure. It highlights the numerous benefits of a tobacco-free environment, including improved air quality, reduced illness and absenteeism, and enhanced overall employee productivity.
Statements from MoHAP
In a statement, His Excellency Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, MoHAP, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Creating a tobacco-free workplace is not only a legal requirement but also a moral responsibility towards our employees. The Tobacco-Free Workplace Guide is a vital tool for organizations to foster a healthier, safer, and more productive work environment.”
Collaborative Effort
MoHAP has collaborated with various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector companies, and health organizations, to ensure the successful implementation of the Tobacco-Free Workplace Guide. This collective effort underscores the UAE’s commitment to public health and its proactive approach to tobacco control.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, MoHAP plans to continue its efforts to reduce tobacco use across the country. The ministry aims to expand its awareness campaigns and support services, ensuring that more organizations adopt smoke-free policies and contribute to the nation’s overall health and well-being.
For more information on the Tobacco-Free Workplace Guide and other public health initiatives, visit the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
