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Tuesday 11 June 2024
The law enforcement officers in collaboration with the Royal Oman Police and the Public Prosecution spotted a group of Asian expatriates who store, distribute, and sell smokeless chewing tobacco. The campaign comes as part of the efforts made by the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), represented by its various directorates and departments in different governorates, in combating the spread of prohibited substances that have hazardous impacts on the health and safety of the individual and society.
The campaign details are as follows:- CPA had received information about expatriates in the wilayat of Muttrah possessing, trading, and selling types of smokeless chewing tobacco. Accordingly, after obtaining a search permit from the Public Prosecution, the CPA, represented by the Department of Regulation and Monitoring of Markets, began to form a team to arrest violators in cooperation with the Public Prosecution and the Royal Oman Police. The campaign resulted in seizing 804 bags and boxes of different types of chewed tobacco (non-smoked) in addition to sums of money. This practice violates Decision No. (256/2015) on the prohibition of the circulation of chewing (non-smoked) tobacco. The violators were placed in detention and interrogated. Afterward, legal actions were taken and they were referred to Public Prosecution.
The CPA confirms that it will spare no effort to intensify market surveillance, control everything that may harm the health and safety of consumers, and take legal action against violators. It also encourages consumers to report any abuses they may notice in the markets through various communication channels.