Medical professionals have expressed significant concern over employees taking sick leave due to smoking-related illnesses. Doctors in the UAE have reported issuing up to seven sick notes in a single day for patients suffering from health issues linked to smoking. This issue has been highlighted by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), which urges employers to establish tobacco-free workplaces. Dr. Jamsheer Kabeer, a specialist in Pulmonology and clinical lecturer at Thumbay University Hospital, noted that smokers often require more sick leaves due to conditions like asthma exacerbations, pneumonia, and respiratory failure from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic cough and complications from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are also common. More severe conditions such as lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and interstitial lung disease (ILD) lead to extended absences. Dr. Salaheldin Ahmed Nasr Rezk, an internal medicine specialist, revealed that 20% of his monthly consultations are for smoking-related illnesses, often presenting with risk factors like hypertension and ischemic heart disease. The MoHAP's guide for smoke-free workplaces emphasizes the economic benefits of reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity. A study in the US found that workplace smoking makes quitting more difficult, with over 60% of respondents citing it as a major obstacle. The UAE health ministry suggests that a tobacco-free environment helps employees focus more on their tasks. However, there is a common misconception that vaping is allowed in offices, despite regulations prohibiting it in closed spaces across the UAE. The MoHAP clarifies that ventilation does not eliminate the health risks of passive smoking, emphasizing the need to prevent indirect smoke inhalation.