Fake cigarettes cause OMR3.5m loss to country

Smuggling of counterfeit cigarettes leads to a revenue loss of nearly OMR3.5 million to the country and they constitute 21 per cent of illegal products being brought into the Omani market by smugglers. Further, the majority of consumers who buy smuggled goods are between the age group of 18 and 45, according to a study conducted by the Euromonitor Research Associate. The study revealed that illegally smuggled goods are in high demand among low-income expatriates due to their crave for less expensive products.