Thousands of unlicensed tobacco products seized in Abu Dhabi

Shisha items among items seized

ADM cracks down on groceries at Wathba, confiscates 3525 smoking accessories. Photo Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Municipality
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Thousands of unlicensed tobacco products have been seized by inspectors including shisha smoking materials and tobacco.

Abu Dhabi City Municipality said the crackdown came during inspections of dozens of grocery stories and commercial retailers in the Wathba area. It said many failed the health and safety regulations.

The campaign targeted 37 grocery stores in Bani Yas East & West, Shamkha and Shawamkh to crack down on the sale of illegal smoking accessories, confiscating 230 tobacco pipes, 415 cans of shisha molasses, 165 packets of tobacco, 105 tobacco pipes, tobacco rolling paper, and tobacco pipe cleaners.

The campaign is part of the municipality's efforts to enforce health standards, protect the community from health hazards, and its vision to raise awareness amongst members of the public to the adverse effects and negative impact of smoking.

More broadly, Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council has inspected more than 36,000 products in 852 stores this year.

Much of the focus was on the quality of toys and ensuring tobacco products have adequate health warnings, such as those highlighting the risk of lung disease and cancer.