Illegal e-cigarette sales: Oman announces new fines

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Selling electronic cigarettes, shisha or any associated accessories will incur fines of up to OMR2,000 ($5,208) in Oman, according to a new circular.

The sale and marketing of e-cigarettes have been banned in Oman since 2015 by the country’s Consumer Protection Authority. However, the use and possession of e-cigarettes in Oman are legal, according to the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction.

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As per the latest circular from Oman’s Consumer Protection Authority, which was issued on 7 January 2022, an administrative fine not exceeding OMR1,000 will be imposed on anyone who violates the provisions of this decision, and the fine will be doubled in the event of a repeat violation.

“If this violation continues, an administrative fine of OMR50 will be imposed for each day that the violation continues, provided that its total does not exceed OMR2,000. The seized quantities of electronic cigarettes, shishas, ​​and their accessories will be destroyed in accordance with the controls in force at the Consumer Protection Authority,” reads the Ministerial decision No. 756/2023.

The ban by Oman’s officials comes amid concerns over growing levels of smoking in the country, with the likes of the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction stating that there has been an upward trend in smoking prevalence in the country.

“In 2000 the overall prevalence was estimated to be around 8 per cent; this increased to 11.5 per cent by 2015, with a projection to increase to 12.5 per cent by 2025,” says Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction.

“This increase in prevalence has been driven entirely by men’s smoking, which increased from 14 per cent to 16 per cent between 2000 and 2015, and is projected to increase further to 18 per cent by 2025 according to WHO trend data. By contrast, women’s smoking during the same period has remained less than 1 per cent from 2000 to 2015, and is projected to be less than 0.5 per cent by 2025,” notes Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction.

GCC’s growing e-cigarette market

Oman’s ban on e-cigarette sales has occurred in a backdrop where demand for these products continue to grow in the GCC.

Research from the IMARC Group reveals that the GCC e-cigarette market size reached $582.9m in 2023 and that the market size could top $2.1bn by 2032, exhibiting a continued annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9 per cent during 2024-2032. Saudi Arabia is also the biggest market for e-cigarettes, according to IMARC.

“At present, there is a significant rise in the demand for e-cigarettes in the GCC region on account of the growing awareness among individuals about the harmful impact of smoking conventional cigarettes,” say the authors of the latest IMARC research.