Muscat – An administrative fine of over RO3,000 was imposed on two expats for selling chewing tobacco in Muscat governorate, the Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) stated on Tuesday.

In a statement CPA said, ‘The Consumer Protection Department in Bausher seized more than 460 boxes and bags of chewing tobacco at a number of commercial shops. The boxes were in the possession of a number of expatriates.’

The campaign is part of the efforts made by CPA to control the market and seize unauthorised products which harms individual health and safety. The department is carrying out intensive inspection campaigns to stop handling such products; thanks to the information received from consumers about the places of distributing such banned products in violation of the decision No 256/2015 amended by the decision No 206/ 2023 regarding banning chewing tobacco.

‘The CPA has taken legal action against violators in coordination and cooperation with Royal Oman Police and Public Prosecution. The violators were spotted and were ordered to pay RO3200. Legal action is still underway to punish violators for the other violations,’ it stated.

CPA calls on all traders and providers to abide by the Consumer Protection Law No 66/2014. CPA stresses that it will spare no effort in following up and monitoring the markets, controlling everything that would harm the health and safety of consumers, eliminating this phenomenon, and tracking its sources. It will also work to take all legal measures against violators. It urges individuals to report violations which they may notice through the various communication channels of CPA.