Bahrain is set to step up action against smoking with tougher punishments, including a year in jail and fines of up to BD100,000, proposed to combat the sale of illegal tobacco products and so-called ‘healthy alternatives’.
Parliament is set to review government-drafted amendments to the 2009 Anti-Smoking Law, listed urgently by the services committee, during its weekly session today.
Those found guilty of illegally importing, distributing or selling smoking alternatives, even if they do not contain nicotine, could be imprisoned for up to a year and fined between BD1,000 and BD100,000.
The Health Minister will be authorised to draw up the list of banned products.
According to the proposed amendments, those found cultivating and producing tobacco of any type, or importing tobacco product vending machines, or chewable or suckable tobacco products, will be fined between BD2,000 and BD5,000.
It is also prohibited for tobacco companies and sellers to advertise or sponsor sport, cultural, social events, parties or any other activity.
Stores will be banned from providing easy shelf access to tobacco products.
Any failure to abide by the rules or breaching them would result in the store facing a fine of between BD1,000 and BD3,000.
Providing tobacco products to anyone under 18, allowing smoking in clubs and public parks, or selling individual pieces from packs would lead to a fine of at least BD100.
Smoking in public facilities, or indoors, will carry a fine of BD20 to BD50.
Whenever a verdict is issued against violators, the court will have the power to close down facilities for up to a maximum of three months.
“A total of 118 violations with regard to the sale of so-called healthy alternatives were noted by Public Health inspectors from January 2022 to June 2024,” said Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed.
“There are two types of such alternatives: herbal and non-herbal,” she explained.
“For herbal, it is addictive extracts from any plant part that is used by chewing, sucking and inhaling, such as betel leaf.
“Non-herbal, usually mixed with herbal extracts, comes in chewable form such as ‘Teshona’.”
The Anti-Smoking Society – Bahrain board chairman Bakri Yaseen told Parliament’s services committee in writing that tough punishments will put people off tobacco or other items marketed as alternatives. “It is always good that the government and legislators agree on combating tobacco, derivatives or alternatives in any way or form,” he said.
“Bahrain is seeking to reduce tobacco addiction by 30pc in 2025 and those punishments will help push it faster in that direction.”
The society was formed in 1979.
The Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission pointed out, in its associated written explanation, that the new rules aim to toughen up on ‘bad smoking habits’, which have negative repercussions on the health of people and the environment.
“The law should tackle smoking from all corners, now that several harmful substances are entering the country as smoking alternatives,” it said.
“The introduction of a jail term and hefty fines against those who import, distribute or sell smoking alternatives, herbs or other items, even if they do not include nicotine, is a step up to combat any wrongdoing in the name of ‘healthy’ smoking.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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