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HEALTH inspectors have begun a crackdown on supermarkets and cold stores across the kingdom who have not been following regulations surrounding the sale and display of tobacco products.
The Health Ministry announced last year that by the end of 2010, cigarettes must be locked away out of the reach of children and there should not be any type of promotion for tobacco products in the store.
Since the beginning of this year, health inspectors have been visiting retailers to make sure they are adhering to the new rules.
Dr Ejlal Al Alawi, co-ordinator of the government's tobacco control programme, said that retailers have been given fair warning of the new rules and must face penalties and possible convictions if they fail to adhere.
She said: "We explained the law to supermarkets and cold stores and sent them an official letter with the rules and gave them a deadline until the end of 2010 for their implementation.
"This clampdown is long overdue and during inspections some cold stores have even been found to be selling chewing tobacco, which has been illegal in Bahrain since 1992!"
According to health experts chewing tobacco can prove more harmful than cigarettes because it often contains a number of unknown ingredients and presents an even bigger risk of mouth and threat cancer.
"There are often a variety of substances in chewing tobacco because the stores that sell it often mix it on their premises - you never really know what's in it," she said.
In a bid to curb underage smoking, retailers have also been asked to provide a separate counter for tobacco sales and display a clear sign in both English and Arabic that selling tobacco to under-18s is prohibited.
"We realise that this may be difficult in small cold stores so we have asked them to lock their tobacco products in a high cabinet - out of reach of children - or behind the cashier. Furthermore, tobacco should only be given on request," added Dr Al Alawai.
One major supermarket group is leading the way to support the health initiative.
Al Jazira Group's Adliya branch, for example, has moved all its smoking products to a store room and is currently awaiting the delivery of new secure cabinets. Harry Crompton, the group's general manager, said: "Al Jazira is happy to comply with the ministry's regulations which will include ensuring all displays are locked when not behind a counter so that customers cannot reach the products themselves.
"We have displayed the necessary signage to inform our customers that sales will not be made to under 18's. Cigarettes are now kept behind locked display cabinets and will only be accessible by the designated manager/key holder.
"We are in discussions with the tobacco companies to provide us with the necessary cabinets that comply with the legislation."
