Oman bans selling of e-cigarettes, e-shisha

Anyone caught selling the cigarettes will be fined 500 Omani riyals

Annual cost

Oman’s Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) banned ecigarettes and e-shishas on Sunday. A PACP official says the move comes after medical studies found that the items contain cancer-causing elements.

Anyone found selling the cigarettes will be slapped with a 500 Omani riyal (Dh4,770) fine. The fine will be doubled for repeat offences.

The PACP says it will intensify inspections across the country to ensure public safety. Other Gulf states have already banned the sale of ecigarettes.

Meanwhile, Oman is studying a ban on smoking in public places such as beaches and bus stations.

Oman banned smoking in enclosed public spaces such as shopping malls, cafes and restaurants in April 2010.

Sultan Qaboos University banned smoking on its premises last year due to an increase in student smoking. The university clinic has also initiated a rehabilitation programme to help students quit. Oman spends more than 20 million riyals a year treating smoking-related illnesses.

20m Riyals spent for smoking-related ailments.

Increase in smoking

There are no exact figures for the number of smokers in Oman, but Ministry of Health officials say it’s on the rise.

Saudi Arabia topped the list for tobacco consumption the GCC followed by Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. GCC finance ministers have recently approved imposing a 100 per cent selective tax on tobacco and tobacco-related products equal to customs duty charges.