Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Smoking at petrol stations in the UAE is a serious offense that could result in up to three months in jail and fines reaching Dh10,000, authorities warned as they launched a nationwide safety campaign this week. The Winter National Awareness Campaign for Safety and Security at Fuel Stations kicked off on Monday (December 23), spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior’s Civil Defence and major petroleum companies such as ENOC, ADNOC, and Emarat. Running until January 23, the campaign aims to educate the public about essential safety measures when refueling vehicles.

Safety first at petrol stations

For land-based fuel stations, the campaign stresses key precautions, including refraining from smoking, ensuring children remain in vehicles, and strictly adhering to refueling guidelines for motorcycles to prevent fuel leakage or fire. For marine fuel stations, the rules emphasize turning off engines and securely anchoring boats and jet skis before refueling. As part of the initiative, educational materials highlighting the dangers of flammable materials and fire safety protocols are being distributed at petrol stations nationwide. Workers are also undergoing additional training to ensure adherence to safety protocols. The UAE’s robust anti-smoking regulations extend to petrol stations and other public areas. Violators caught smoking in public can face fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh10,000. Repeat offenders and those whose actions lead to accidents can expect harsher penalties, including imprisonment. ICA/Expat Media ALSO READ: 5 safety rules at UAE petrol stations
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