(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Inspectors seized the banned substance from the three outlets as part of intensive raids at food and health outlets to curb the sale of drugs
A cafeteria and two groceries in ras al khaimah have been closed temporarily and the operators fined for selling niswar a mixture of tobacco chemicals and seeds that is addictive and causes diseases like cancer. the sale of niswar is banned in the uae.
Khalifa mohammed al maktoum manager of the public health and environment department at the rak municipality said inspectors seized the banned substance from the three outlets as part of intensive raids at food and health outlets to curb the sale of drugs.
maktoum said the people running the three outlets were made to sign a declaration saying they would not repeat the act. if they do the units will be closed permanently and they will have to pay a stiffer fine.
The drive against niswar has been going on for some time. in february 2013 rak police caught an asian in the daqdaqa area with 70 kilograms of niswar stashed away in his car. the haul was worth dh140000. the banned substance was meant for distribution through local shops.
maktoum said inspectors recently seized a large amount of paan a kind of chewing tobacco at a local grocery. following the seizure the outlet was shut down and the grocer fined.
the chewing tobacco a kilogram of which is valued at dh2000 is mostly smuggled in from asian countries to be distributed in the local market.
both paan and niswar are banned in the uae as they are a health hazard as well as a pollutant. maktoum said paan and niswar spat out by users left stains on the ground or walls which were difficult to remove and tarnished the image of the city.
The two substances cause diseases like gum cancer gastric and mouth ulcers. addicts have also been found to be depressed suffering from insomnia exhaustion and lethargy. besides prolonged use stains the teeth as well.
Ahmedshaaban?khaleejtimes.com
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