Betel, Tobacco Vendors to be Deported From UAE

Source from:  Thehindu.com Dubai (PTI) 11/10/2008

Be warned. People in the UAE caught selling betel leaves, 'Pan Masala' or chewing tobacco will be deported immediately. Not only this, residents in this city in Emirates have been told they can earn rewards upto Dirhams 5,000 by informing the civic authorities about such an activity, a local newspaper has reported. Launching a campaign against spitting and littering, Hussain Nasser Lootah, the assistant director general of Dubai Municipality (DM) announced that manufacturing and selling of such products was banned in the Emirate, Khaleej Times reported. "From now on, we are not going to give the guilty a first, second or third warning. They will be deported immediately. Shops found selling these products will be closed down without any delay," Lootah quoted by the newspaper as saying. The civic body has also raised the reward for those informing about such cases from Dirhams 2,000 to Dirhams 5,000. The import, sale and use of betel leaves and its alternatives has been banned according to a local order in 2003. Apart from health risks, spitting and littering by the tobacco chewers have also become a serious problem for the beauty and cleanliness of the city, he said. "We will intensify inspections to trace the violators. People need to be aware about the laws and regulations," Lootah said. The DM had already imposed a fine of Dirhams 500 on a person found spitting in public places. The month-long campaign is aimed at restoring the old charm of Naif area in the city. The campaign aims to transform the busy Naif area into a cleaner place. Enditem