Diwaniya of the Smoking Director
Last week, I visited a government entity to finalize certain transactions that required my personal presence. My case was referred to the person in charge, or the manager. Upon entering the manager’s office, I noticed several individuals present who had no pending transactions; they were likely friends of the manager. A second observation was that the manager and his friends were smoking.
This situation has recurred with me on multiple occasions at various government entities in the past, where the manager was a smoker and his office had effectively turned into a diwaniya (a traditional gathering place). One negative aspect of this scenario is that, on some occasions, the transaction may be personal, and I would prefer not to discuss the matter and its details in front of strangers. Moreover, it is inappropriate to smoke in the presence of clients and employees.
The manager was in clear violation of the law. However, due to chaos, a lack of self-regulation by government entities, and insufficient oversight and enforcement by the Public Authority for Environmental Affairs, the smoking manager breaks the law daily, causing harassment to clients and employees through secondhand smoke, toxins, and the unpleasant odor of tobacco.
It is also noticeable that smoking occurs in other government entities, with no oversight of smokers. Indeed, “the door of the carpenter is ajar.” One entity, which is supposed to be the most stringent in applying the law, felt like entering a diwaniya when I visited it, with all its patrons being smokers. I could not use the stairwell due to the large number of smokers, the smell of smoke, and the presence of toxins inside.
I hope the government will strengthen oversight of smokers in all government entities. The law must be applied to everyone, starting with the manager. Secondhand smoke has many harmful effects and is a major cause of heart and vascular diseases and cancer. Holding the position of manager or any administrative role does not grant the right to smoke in offices or in front of clients and employees. Furthermore, a smoking manager attracts smoking employees to his office, giving them preferential treatment over non-smoking employees and better opportunities for benefits or promotions, which constitutes injustice.
It should be noted that Law No. 42 of 2014 for the Protection of the Environment was issued, prohibiting smoking in closed and semi-closed public places and public transportation, according to Article 56. Financial fines for violators range between 50 and 100 Kuwaiti dinars. Therefore, smoking is prohibited inside government entities and institutions, as well as in closed places.
The Public Authority for Environmental Affairs must fulfill its role and duties by conducting surprise inspection tours in ministries and government entities to enforce the law on everyone and penalize smokers in closed areas, offices, and corridors. Government entities must also ban smoking to protect non-smoking employees from secondhand smoke, ensuring a positive work environment with healthy, clean air free from pollutants, smoke, and toxins.
Fawaz Ahmed Al-Hamad
