A glass box where smokers can light up without sending clouds of second-hand smoke into the faces of passers-by could soon become a familiar sight in Bahrain’s busiest public spaces.
The idea of installing outdoor smoking booths in markets, parks and other high-footfall areas is being spearheaded by Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif, who is looking to Taiwan for inspiration.
The proposal approved unanimously by the council follows the capital Taipei’s introduction of outdoor negative-pressure smoking rooms earlier this year – enclosed facilities designed to keep tobacco smoke inside while allowing surrounding public areas to remain smoke-free.
Similar glass boxes have already been installed at Bahrain International Airport’s new terminal, which is the only location in Bahrain to have them.
Mr Abdullatif said Bahrain should examine the concept as a practical way of balancing public health concerns with the need to manage smoking in busy outdoor locations.
“We’re not looking simply to copy another city. We want to study what has worked elsewhere and see how it can be adapted to Bahrain’s environment, culture and public spaces,” he said.
The proposed booths could be considered for locations where large numbers of people gather, including traditional markets, shopping areas, parks and other public facilities.
The aim would be to create clearly defined smoking points, keeping smokers away from pedestrian routes, family areas and entrances while reducing passers-by exposure to second-hand smoke.
Taipei unveiled its first five outdoor negative-pressure smoking rooms on May 7 as part of its drive towards a smoke-free city. Three were placed in the busy Ximending shopping district, with others at Xinzhongshan Linear Park and a bus parking area near its main station.
The system uses negative pressure to ensure that air flows into the booth rather than smoke escaping into the surrounding area.
Officials say the enclosed rooms have independent ventilation systems and are designed so that, when the entrance is closed, smoke does not leak into the surrounding space. The facilities also have fire-safety equipment and ventilation requirements.
The model is part of a wider separation strategy: smokers are directed towards designated areas while increasingly busy public spaces are declared smoke-free.
From June 1, smoking was prohibited across outdoor areas and surrounding pavements in a shopping district, with violations subject to fines ranging from around BD24 to almost BD119.
Mr Abdullatif said the Bahrain proposal would require careful consideration of location, ventilation, maintenance, operating hours and enforcement before any decision was taken.
“The location is extremely important. These booths should not become an inconvenience for the public or an eyesore. They must be well designed, properly ventilated and positioned in places where they can serve their purpose without affecting pedestrians,” he said.
For Bahrain, Mr Abdullatif said the proposal was ultimately about protecting shared public spaces.
“Markets, parks and public areas belong to everyone. Families, children, elderly people and pedestrians should be able to enjoy these places without being exposed to cigarette smoke,” he said.
“At the same time, we have to deal with reality. A designated, controlled and properly managed smoking area may be better than allowing people to smoke wherever they choose.”
Municipal Council technical committee chairman Ali Al Shaikh said the proposal should be examined from both the technical and environmental perspectives before any implementation.
He said international experiences could provide useful guidance, but Bahrain would need its own standards suited to the country’s climate and the nature of its public spaces.
“The concept is interesting because it creates a designated space instead of allowing smoking to spread throughout an open public area. But the technical details will determine whether such a system is suitable for Bahrain,” Mr Al Shaikh said.
He said issues such as air extraction, filtration, heat, electricity consumption, fire safety, cleaning and regular maintenance would need to be addressed.
“We need a Bahrain model. We can benefit from the experience of Taipei and other cities, but our requirements are different, particularly because of our weather conditions and the way our outdoor spaces are used,” he said.
Taipei’s experience also shows that designated smoking facilities can form part of a wider smoke-free strategy rather than simply providing additional places to smoke. The city currently lists hundreds of designated smoking areas, while its negative-pressure facilities have been expanded beyond the initial locations.
The proposal has been referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to forward to Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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