Pay up RO 1,000 fine for selling chewing tobacco

MUSCAT, Nov 11 - Despite a ban on the sale of chewing tobacco in all its forms in the Sultanate, the illegal business is thriving in Muscat. “For evidence, just look at the alleyways and pedestrian paths of the city. They bear the brunt of dreaded illicit business. Most places are dirtied with the spit of chewing tobacco,” says Abdul Hameed, a resident of Ruwi. According to the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP), sale of chewing tobacco is prohibited in Oman by law and punitive action, and a fine of RO 1,000 is imposed on violators. An amended law was issued by the authority in 2015, which states, “An administrative fine of RO 1,000 shall be imposed on all those who violate the laws of possession and distribution of chewing tobacco. The fine shall be doubled if repeated.” Despite the fact that sleuths from the PACP and Muscat Municipality crack down on shops that deal in the illicit trade, many brands of banned tobacco products are easily available in and around the capital. “Like other forms of illicit business, trade in prohibited tobacco products is a growing threat to the national interests because of the health issues involved in it,” points out Dr Armin Abdullah, a physician. Seizures of chewing tobacco and bootlegged cigarette brands have become routine now. In recent times, the customs department of Royal Oman Police (ROP) had confiscated containers of fake and banned tobacco products and foiled many attempts to smuggle them into the Sultanate. According to an official at the Muscat Municipality, many shops have been closed after confiscation of the contraband tobacco products. “There are some shops still selling those products clandestinely. They engage in this business to make quick money,” he said. Experts are of the opinion that the illegal trade not only deprives the government of huge amount in tax evasion, but also helps aid other criminal activities. “Since it provides a lucrative revenue stream and the trade is often both domestic and international in nature, it can converge with other undercover activities due to the easy flow of unaccounted money,” said a financial expert who did not want to be identified. SAMUEL KUTTY