Muscat – The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has imposed a fine of RO1,000 on an expat for trading and selling chewing tobacco in the wilayat of Sur, in South Sharqiyah Governorate.

CPA stated that the Consumer Protection Department in South Sharqiyah Governorate recently arrested an expatriate worker ‘who traded and sold non-smoking, chewing tobacco to consumers.

CPA officials had received information that an expatriate in Sur was using a small store behind his shop selling ready-made clothes and accessories to store and sell chewing tobacco to consumers.

‘This is a violation of decision No 256/2015 and its amendments regarding the ban on trading chewing tobacco in any form and under any name,’ a CPA statement said.

After collecting evidence and coordinating with the concerned authorities in the governorate, the shop was raided and legal measures were taken against the violator. Stocks of chewing tobacco were seized and will be destroyed while an administrative fine of RO1,000 was imposed on the violator.’

The authority affirmed that it spares no effort in following up and monitoring the markets. ‘CPA will control everything that may harm the health and safety of consumers or is against consumers’ rights,’ the statement said, appealing to consumers to report any abuses they may notice in the market through the authority’s various communication channels.