Muscat – The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has imposed a fine of RO3,000 on three expats for trading and selling chewing tobacco in the wilayat of Barka, in South Batinah Governorate.

CPA stated that the Consumer Protection Department in South Batinah recently arrested three expatriates who traded and sold chewing tobacco to consumers.

CPA officials had received information that the three in Barka were selling ready-made 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 expatriates were arrested and legal measures were taken against them. ‘Stocks of chewing tobacco were seized and will be destroyed while an administrative fine of RO3,000 was imposed on the violators,’ CPA stated.

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.