WHO’s norms on tobacco soon
Sept. 25: The National Committee for Tobacco Control (NCTC) on Sunday reviewed the progress in implementing the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Oman.
For Oman, FCTC requires the Ministry of Information to ban advertisements of all types of tobacco products in mass media, in addition to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Public Authority for Consumer Protection’s (PACP) decisions to impose a ban on import and sale of electronic cigarettes and shisha.
The guidelines also suggest a ban on discounts for tobacco products and no permission to be given for tobacco shops near educational institutions in the country.
The meeting reviewed the approval granted by the GCC leaders to impose a selective tax on tobacco from October. It also discussed plans for a uniform policy on shisha and a study on the use of tobacco products among adults.
NCTC discussed the decision of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources to regulate the use of shisha in cafes and its ban at indoor premises and residential areas.
The meeting touched upon updating specification standards for tobacco products in Oman.
NCTC held its meeting under the chair of Dr Mohammed bin Saif al Hosni, Under-Secretary of Ministry of Health.
The committee members include representatives from the Ministry of Health, Royal Oman Police (ROP), World Health Organization (WHO), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources and other regulatory authorities.
Article 8 of FCTC addresses the implementation of effective measures to provide protection from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor public places and, as appropriate, other public places.
Article 15 concerns the commitment of Parties to eliminate all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products.
The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products builds on this article.
The guidelines suggest a ban on discounts for tobacco products and curbs on tobacco sales near educational institutions in the country.