Shura to vote on tobacco alternatives ban
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
A government-drafted law banning betel nut, gutka, paan, and herbal smoking substitutes — often marketed as ‘safer’ alternatives to tobacco — will go before the Shura Council on Sunday.
If passed, traders could face fines of up to BD100,000 and a year in jail, while users may also face penalties.
The bill, which the lower house cleared last December, seeks to close a legal loophole that has allowed these products to be sold despite concerns over their health effects.
Tougher penalties
The Ministry of Health has backed tougher penalties, saying these products expose users to the same risks as tobacco.
The ministry warns that chewing and smoking these substances increases the risk of lung disease, heart problems, and various cancers.
The ministry has also pointed to aggressive marketing by some firms, which promote herbal cigarettes and tobacco-free substitutes as safe alternatives despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Efforts to curb tobacco use have been ongoing for years, with customs checks, schoolbased awareness drives, and free quitting services all in place.
Related Posts