People urged to cut down on excessive buying

People need to cut down on the things they do not really need, either consumer products or services, Eng. Hassan Al Katheeri, chairman of the UAE Consumer Protection Society, said.

"People are buying things beyond their needs," he said, addressing delegates at a function conducted in cooperation with the Environmental and Protected Areas Authority. "The waste costs the government millions of dirhams."

He said people can easily cut down water and energy consumption. The society chief noted food and water consumption goes up by 40 per cent during Ramadan.

He noted a significant amount of loans taken from banks are for commodities which people don't really need. Water and energy consumption in the UAE is the highest in the world. "One person consumes 100 gallons of water a day. This can be cut down to 60 gallons. If you cut down, you save money and it will minimise waste."

Al Katheeri said the wasteful aspect in many people's lives has affected family relations. "Lack of money due to lavish spending has split many families. TV commercials mislead people as to what is good for them."

He also said consumers should not buy simply because they want to win in promotions and contests. "To win a car should never decide the type of food I want to eat or a household appliance I need to have."

Al Katheeri stressed that the society's goals include producing legislation to protect consumer rights in the UAE. Its other goal is rationalising consumption. "We seek to raise consumer awareness in cooperation with environment agencies and educational districts."

Al Katheeri said students could be tapped by setting up consumer awareness clubs. Courses at schools need to draw the students' attention to consumer issues. Lectures, seminars and exhibitions should be organised to encourage the young to know the consumer issues of today.