Visit any major shopping mall in the country and a common sight greets you every time — young men and women smoking away outside the malls’ various entrances and exits.

The Central Municipal Council (CMC), during its regular bi-weekly session yesterday, came down hard on the growing phenomenon and dubbed it ‘unacceptable and one that harms society,’ reported Gulf Times.

CMC members discussed the problem in detail and referred it to its public services and utilities committee for more study and necessary recommendations.

CMC member Abdulrahman Al Khulaifi said the phenomenon was harming families and other visitors.

“Usually, you find a large group of people smoking at the gates of malls, which makes waiting at the gate unbearable for others. Smoking is banned in malls. Since the gates also belong to the mall, they should be included in the ban as well. The law should be amended to include those found smoking at the gates and around malls,” Qatar Tribune quoted him as saying.