The Emirati ministry of information and culture has abandoned its ban on advertising and promotion of tobacco products, an official statement was quoted by the Gulf News daily as saying Monday.
The decision to ban the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products was taken by the general secretariat of municipalities last year following a ruling by the cabinet in 1980, said the daily.
The minister issued instructions to implement the decision on January 20. The ministry received strong support from anti-smoking campaigners, but was met with opposition from cigarette and advertising companies, added the daily.
Earlier, ministry officials said the ban was imposed for the sake of public health.
While expressing relief at the dropping of the ban, senior advertising industry sources said renewed efforts would be made to bring about a "degree of self-regulation."
"As far as the local advertising industry is concerned, it's very good news indeed. Everyone's very relieved at the change in the ministry's approach to the issue," chairman of an advertising company told the daily -- Albawaba.com
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