Bahrain Parliament To Discuss Ban On E-Cigarettes And Vapes
Al-Mahfoudh said the proposal aims to address the rising health risks linked to vaping, particularly among children and teenagers. He noted that the appealing flavors and social media promotions have made these products highly popular among the youth, creating a false impression that they are a 'safe' alternative to traditional cigarettes.
The MP highlighted that Bahrain, like many other countries, has witnessed a sharp increase in vape usage among teenagers, raising serious health and social concerns among parents and experts. He cited medical studies showing that e-shishas contain chemicals that can harm the respiratory and immune systems, especially in young people whose bodies are still developing. Research also indicates a strong link between vaping and nicotine addiction, which can pave the way to smoking other forms of tobacco—or even substance abuse.
Al-Mahfoudh stressed the importance of strict regulations, calling for tighter monitoring of sales and a ban on marketing e-cigarettes as safe alternatives. He also suggested learning from the successful bans in Gulf countries, as well as nations like Canada, India, and Singapore.
In addition to legislative measures, the MP urged health authorities and schools to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping, emphasizing that prevention begins with early education and active family involvement. Civil society organizations have also joined calls for stricter laws, including banning online promotion, regulating points of sale, and launching targeted youth campaigns.
If passed, this law could mark a turning point in Bahrain's efforts to safeguard the health of its younger generations.

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Gulf Insider
03-08-2025
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain Parliament To Discuss Ban On E-Cigarettes And Vapes
Bahrain may soon take a major step toward protecting young people from the growing dangers of electronic smoking devices. MP Jalal Kazem Al-Mahfoudh revealed that the upcoming Parliament session will discuss a draft law to ban the sale and circulation of electronic shisha and e-cigarettes (vapes) across the Kingdom. Al-Mahfoudh said the proposal aims to address the rising health risks linked to vaping, particularly among children and teenagers. He noted that the appealing flavors and social media promotions have made these products highly popular among the youth, creating a false impression that they are a 'safe' alternative to traditional cigarettes. The MP highlighted that Bahrain, like many other countries, has witnessed a sharp increase in vape usage among teenagers, raising serious health and social concerns among parents and experts. He cited medical studies showing that e-shishas contain chemicals that can harm the respiratory and immune systems, especially in young people whose bodies are still developing. Research also indicates a strong link between vaping and nicotine addiction, which can pave the way to smoking other forms of tobacco—or even substance abuse. Al-Mahfoudh stressed the importance of strict regulations, calling for tighter monitoring of sales and a ban on marketing e-cigarettes as safe alternatives. He also suggested learning from the successful bans in Gulf countries, as well as nations like Canada, India, and Singapore. In addition to legislative measures, the MP urged health authorities and schools to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping, emphasizing that prevention begins with early education and active family involvement. Civil society organizations have also joined calls for stricter laws, including banning online promotion, regulating points of sale, and launching targeted youth campaigns. If passed, this law could mark a turning point in Bahrain's efforts to safeguard the health of its younger generations.


Daily Tribune
18-06-2025
- Daily Tribune
‘COVID Legacy Powers Safety'
TDT | Manama Bahrain's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has laid the foundation for a far-reaching transformation in civil protection and crisis governance, according to a senior lawmaker. MP Dr. Maryam Al-Dhaen said the Kingdom's pandemic response had demonstrated how trust, innovation, and citizen participation could be channelled into a long-term national safety strategy. That experience, she noted, has now evolved into an integrated civil defence model focused on readiness, technology, and shared responsibility. She pointed to current efforts that embed digital tools into emergency response frameworks, while simultaneously empowering society at large to play a greater role in public safety. Smart tools, safer citizens One of the most visible changes is the rollout of the 'BeAware Bahrain' mobile application, which offers users real-time alerts, safety guidance, and interactive support in emergency scenarios. Dr. Al-Dhaen described the app as a key part of Bahrain's shift from reactive crisis response to proactive community protection. Complementing the app is the National Civil Protection Platform, an institutional framework designed to unify state and community efforts under a common strategy. The platform, she said, reinforces Bahrain's advanced security culture and promotes an environment of resilience and awareness. Shared responsibility The government's civil protection efforts also include expanding the scope of preparedness across different sectors. Dr. Al-Dhaen highlighted the recent civil defence training sessions conducted for Members of Parliament, calling it a clear sign that the responsibility for public safety is being shared across institutions. 'The concept of safety in Bahrain has become a shared responsibility between state institutions and society,' she said, noting that awareness campaigns and simulations have now reached multiple levels of government and civil society. Leadership and coordination Dr. Al-Dhaen credited His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for leading a crisis governance model that prioritises regional stability and domestic readiness. She also praised the active role of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in monitoring emergency procedures and enhancing national preparedness. She further commended the Civil Defence Council, chaired by His Excellency Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, for its role in strengthening preventive measures and coordination across agencies. In closing, Dr. Al-Dhaen said Bahrain's civil protection system today reflects the lessons of its pandemic response, turning past challenges into future safeguards.


Gulf Insider
01-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Reports Five Heat Exhaustion Cases Among Pilgrims, Urges Precautions Amid Soaring Temperatures
As temperatures soared at the holy sites, Saudi Arabia confirmed five cases of heat exhaustion among the more than one million pilgrims who have arrived to perform Hajj rituals. All those affected received immediate medical attention and are currently in a stable condition, according to the ministry of health, which added that health teams were on high alert to respond swiftly to similar cases as part of the Kingdom's commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of pilgrims. The country's National Center for Meteorology has forecast hot to extremely hot weather conditions at the holy sites during this year's Hajj season. According to the center, maximum temperatures are expected to range between 40°C and 47°C, while minimum temperatures will vary between 27°C and 32°C. Humidity levels are projected to fluctuate between 15 percent and 60 percent. In a post on its X account, the ministry urged pilgrims to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and follow official health guidelines, such as using shaded walkways, wearing appropriate protective gear, and seeking help at the first signs of fatigue. 'If not treated promptly, heat exhaustion can escalate to heat stroke within 10-15 minutes — a life-threatening medical emergency,' the post stated. The ministry also advised pilgrims who experience heat exhaustion symptoms to begin immediate cooling measures, such as washing their hands, faces and necks with cold water and moving to a cooler area, as well as drinking plenty of cold water to rehydrate. In its post, the ministry identified headache, excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, and severe thirst as key clinical symptoms of heat exhaustion. Multilingual awareness campaigns have been launched, and field preparedness has been reinforced, particularly in response to seasonal heat risks. The ministry had announced the health sector's readiness to receive pilgrims, revealing a 60 percent increase in bed capacity compared with last year. Fahad Al-Jalajel, the minister of health, recently confirmed the deployment of over 50,000 medical and technical personnel to serve pilgrims and emphasized the stability of the health situation, with no reported outbreaks or epidemics, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 'Health efforts began early in pilgrims' homelands by analyzing international health risks and issuing clear health requirements, including vaccinations against yellow fever, meningitis, polio, COVID-19, and influenza,' SPA reported, citing Al-Jalajel. The minister underscored the role of the health certificate as the first line of defense during the Hajj season, noting that the Kingdom's health system launched its services with the arrival of the first Makkah Route Initiative flight. As part of the Kingdom's comprehensive preparations, 14 land, air, and sea ports have been fully equipped, delivering more than 50,000 health services so far, including 140 surgical procedures, 65 cardiac catheterizations, and six open-heart surgeries, the minister said. To combat heatstroke risks, Al-Jalajel announced a series of measures in coordination with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. These include planting more than 10,000 trees, installing 400 additional water coolers and misting fans, and expanding shaded pedestrian pathways to protect pilgrims from extreme heat. The ministry of health has also intensified awareness efforts through multilingual campaigns, stationing field teams, launching media programs, and organizing medical missions to ensure important health information reaches all pilgrims. Al-Jalajel further revealed the establishment of a new 200-bed emergency hospital in Mina, developed in collaboration with Kidana Development Co. In addition, three new field hospitals with more than 1,200 beds have been set up in partnership with the ministries of national guard, defense, and interior. These were inaugurated 'alongside 71 emergency points, 900 ambulances, 11 evacuation aircraft, and over 7,500 paramedics,' Al-Jalajel told SPA. The minister urged pilgrims to follow health guidelines and affirmed that the Kingdom's health system is operating at full capacity to ensure a safe and healthy Hajj season for all.