Abu Dhabi: Around three tonnes of niswar (raw oral tobacco) and substances used in its manufacturing process were seized in a unlicensed lab in Musaffah Industrial Area in Abu Dhabi.
The seizure was made by Abu Dhabi Municipality in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Police and Abu Dhabi Prosecution.
Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Director of Public Health at Abu Dhabi Municipality, said the lab was located in an industrial area that had multiple unlicensed buildings inhabited by more than 200 workers. He said the area lacked minimal health requirements.
Using Niswar is illegal and in breach of Federal Law No 15 of 2009 regarding the combating of tobacco, and the Cabinet Decree No 24 of 2013 regarding the Executive Regulation of the Law, since niswar is made from several hazardous chemicals such as lime.
“This is not the first campaign waged by the Public Health Division of Abu Dhabi Municipality, as it has recently carried out a crackdown on a farm in Al Samha that was used to produce this dangerous and toxic material,” Al Rumaithi said.
Al Rumaithi added that there were blenders and shredders, as well as raw materials such as lime, cement and chemical materials harmful to public health, which were being used for processing the niswar.
“Such illegal activities undermine the public health of the community. Niswar causes many diseases, including oral cancer, gingivitis, gum ulcers, high blood pressure, heart diseases and peptic ulcers, to name a few,” he said.
Addicts also need to spit excessively, he said, and they do so on the ground, which distorts public places.
A misconception among a large segment of youths is that niswar can help smokers give up smoking which, Al Rumaithi said, is a false belief since both materials are harmful to health, in addition to the psychological state caused by niswar abuse, which causes nervousness, sleep disorder, constant restlessness and psychological and neurological disorders.
This operation is part of a broader strategy aimed at stamping out illegal activities that can harm and negatively affect people’s health and wellbeing.
“The civic body, in collaboration with its strategic partners, is poised to carry on such inspection campaigns on illegal activities jeopardising the health of the community, with the aim of monitoring and keeping tabs on illegal activities which may pose a threat to the health of the community.” Al Rumaithi said.
He urged citizens and residents to help curb such illegal activities that pose a threat to people’s health and safety as well as the environment by reporting any illegal laboratories engaged in producing the illegal substances.
