A raid conducted by the police on a hidden tobacco processing plant in Abu Dhabi has led to the seizure of three tonnes of niswar, a mixture of green-powdered tobacco and lime, reported Khaleej Times.
Though niswar is not considered a narcotic, it is banned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for health reasons.
“Niswar poses a threat to the health of community members since it is made from several high-hazardous chemicals such as lime. Administering it is illegal and in breach of the Federal Law No 15/2009 regarding the combating of tobacco, and the Cabinet Decree No 24/2013 regarding the Executive Regulation of the Law,” said Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Director of Public Health at the municipality.
Niswar is widely used in Pakistan, Afghanistan and some parts of Iran. A packet of niswar in the UAE costs about Dh3 and Dh5 when there is a shortage in the region. The banned product is sold in shops that are familiar to only a small lot of people.
More than 80% of the product in the UAE is consumed by expats from northern Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“The processing plant, which was targeted by the municipal team, is located in an industrial land plot where several unlicensed plants are grown. It was also inhabited by more than 200 workers in an environment lacking minimal health stipulations.”
He further said the raid was conducted and blenders and shredders of niswar along with raw materials of lime, cement and chemical materials detrimental to public health were found.
“The hazardous tobacco mixture leads to several diseases, including oral cancer, gingivitis, gum ulcerations, high blood pressure, heart diseases and peptic ulcers to name a few,” he said.