Stick to rules or feel the heat, cigarette firms told

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Economy yesterday announced a new federal campaign, targeting cigarette firms that do not comply with the prevailing rules.

The move follows the announcement of new regulations on cigarettes to be implemented by Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority (ESMA) from September 29 onwards.

"The ministry has found that several cigarette brands do not comply with the existing laws as proved by tests carried out through an international certified laboratory.

"Several samples collected from the UAE market did not match even the standards mentioned on the packets," said a senior official.

Humaid Ali Bin Butti Al Muhairi, Assistant Undersecretary for Companies and Supervision, said several cigarette samples collected from the market contained hazardous elements like nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide above the permitted limit.

Violation

"It is a clear violation of Federal Law No: 4 of 1979, related to standards of products and Federal Law No. 24 of 2006 which deals with consumer protection."

He said the ministry will intensify inspections. "We convened a meeting with the government agencies concerned to review the situation and formulate a mechanism to wipe out substandard cigarettes from the market. All government agencies concerned have agreed to cooperate in the campaign to prevent proliferation of substandard products in the market," he said.

Other government agencies participating in the campaign include the Customs and local authorities in the different emirates.

ESMA announced new regulations to control quality of cigarettes in the beginning of this week, which will be implemented from September 29 onwards.

The new regulations insist on health warnings on cigarette packets in big letters and control of hazardous elements within limits.

The regulations have been announced in accordance with Cabinet decision No. 10 of 2007, said Mohammad Badri, Deputy Director General of ESMA.