Oman’s Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) has banned electronic cigarettes and electronic shisha.
A PACP official was quoted as saying that the bans were imposed after medical studies had found that these items ‘contain cancer-causing elements’.
Although the ban was said to have been imposed only on Sunday, the PACP said it would‘intensify inspections across the country to ensure the safety of the public’.
Anyone found selling the electronic devices will be liable to an OMR500 fine. The fine will be doubled for repeat offenses.
Other Gulf states have already banned the sale of electronic cigarettes.