A Cup of Woes or Tea overfloweth!

Three days ago, Dubai Municipality issued official notices to all cafeterias and restaurants, ordering them to stop using plastic cups made of rigid polystyrene to serve tea, coffee or other hot beverages. They say it is part of a campaign to ensure public health safety.

The price of the cup expected to go up when Dxb Municipality enforces the ban. Cafeteria owners also plan to increase the price of tea. "It will be impossible to sell tea for just 50 fils using cups made of foam poly-styrene or paper cups because they are expensive," said the owner of a popular cafeteria in Deira. - (Gulf News)

If ever, there was one thing constant in the ever fluctuating prices of this fast growing city was that tea was available for 50fils. It was the only price which remained unchanged from the early days of the country itself - 27 years. No mean feat but that cuppa is the lifeline of many. I guess there isn’t anybody who has not drunk from the white plastic cups doting the tables of countless cafeterias and restaurants.

It was a common sight to see endless cups of tea covered with a foil being transported precariously on trays by men maneuvering cycles across narrow lanes to shopkeepers all across Dubai who wait eagerly for their afternoon and evening tea.

Roadside cafeterias in Dubai have been selling a cup of tea for 50 fils for 27 years. All their efforts to raise tea prices have been thwarted by the civic authorities. And now it is the same civic authorities who are giving reason to raise the price of those simple cups of joy.

The Dubai Municipality has banned the use of plastic cups in the emirate with effect from May 3 after conducting laboratory tests. Reasons cited are short term high exposure to styrene can cause depression, loss of concentration, weakness, fatigue and nausea, while high intake over many years can cause cancer, liver and nerve damage.

The Municipality's efforts are be lauded for being concerned about the public's health. But a question which needs to be asked is who drinks this 50 fils tea. It is the common man and even a 50 fils increase in price will have an adverse effect on tight budgets already stretched thinner than shoe strings. Scrupulous traders will increase the prices of paper cups, foam polystyrene and other alternatives to cash in on the demand. The civic authorities which for 27 years controlled the price of tea must intervene and keep the prices of cups from spiraling out of control.

Times are changing indeed and those white cups of tea have a history. It has contributed much to given boost to the people who keep this emirate growing. But again there are other things other than plastic cups which are killing the public. I only muse the higher up’s should contemplate on solving those bigger problems as they sip on their white cups of tea. Cause for all 27 years of drinking from that lil white cup – I haven’t seen one causality. This calls for an ode to the white cup of tea as the curtains come down on it on 3 May 2006. Till then bring out those 50 fils and enjoy ur cuppa!