Dubai - MENA Herald: The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED) has asked gyms and health clubs in Dubai not to sell or promote banned drugs and steroids. CCCP has also launched an awareness campaign with the support of the UAE’s National Anti-Doping Committee to caution consumers and traders about prohibited stimulants and their harmful effect on public health.
The joint campaign has been launched with the objective of eliminating unlicensed and harmful drugs from the local market, especially in view of the recent increase in complaints on gyms promoting and selling such products.
Abdul Aziz Al Tannak, Director of Commercial Control Department in CCCP said: "As part of the awareness campaign we have directed the 178 gyms operating in Dubai not to sell or promote banned drugs and also display messages to caution members and visitors on such products. We have issued clear guidelines for gyms to follow in the case of such drugs.”
DED will also conduct inspections in gyms and fitness centres in co-operation with the National Anti-Doping Committee to make sure that gyms and health clubs comply with the directive. “Promoting third party products inside gyms is also not allowed and violators will invite fines. Repeated violations will lead to temporary closure of the facility. The awareness campaign is part of a series of such initiatives DED has launched to protect consumers.”
Al Tannak called on consumers to exercise caution and avoid falling prey to the temptations from trainers to use harmful stimulants. He also urged consumers to report any illegal practices in this regard on the Ahlan Dubai call centre number 600 54 5555, through the smart phone application Sallety, Twitter handle Dubai_consumers or on the Dubai Consumer channel on Blackberry phones. The complaint will be immediately referred to the department concerned and action will be taken against the facility.
