Doha: The General Tax Authority (GTA) has announced the seizure of a number of outlets found in violation of the provisions of the Excise Tax Law, as part of its regulatory campaigns aimed at combating the illicit circulation of tobacco products.

According to Qatar News Agency, GTA's statement Monday clarified that the inspection team succeeded in seizing and confiscating more than 5,000 packs of tobacco products that did not bear approved tax stamps and did not meet the required specifications, in addition to issuing legal reports against the owners of the violating outlets, in preparation for taking and completing the necessary legal actions against them in accordance with the applicable legislation.

These measures come within GTA's ongoing inspection campaigns, which include analyzing and auditing supply chains to monitor and combat the illicit trade of tobacco products, and applying compliance standards set out in the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, thereby contributing to reducing the health risks associated with smuggled products, which pose a greater danger to consumer health.

GTA's efforts in this context align with the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), which aims to ensure a high quality of life for individuals by reducing the prevalence of smoking, and are also consistent with the National Health Strategy, seeking to protect members of society from the risks of tobacco and its derivatives through the imposition of taxes on the production and importation of these products, thereby enhancing public health in the State of Qatar.

Noteworthy, tax stamp is a distinctive mark in the form of a physical label or a digital code containing encrypted data, affixed to excise-taxable goods. GTA launched the first and second phases of the tax stamp system in 2022, while the third phase began implementation in early 2023 within local markets. This phase stipulates that all tobacco products and their derivatives circulated in local markets must bear approved tax stamps.

GTA affirmed that it will continue its inspection campaigns to monitor illicit trade in tobacco products, calling on all relevant entities to comply with the provisions of tax laws and related executive regulations to avoid legal accountability. It also urged importers of cigarettes and other tobacco products to register on the "Dhareeba" platform under the excise goods track-and-trace system, noting that the import or circulation of any excise goods within the country is not permitted without valid and activated tax stamps.

In addition, GTA highlighted that it will continue its efforts to promote a culture of voluntary compliance and strengthen public trust in the tax system, thereby contributing to higher levels of tax compliance.