With the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan midway over, shops in Oman’s capital, Muscat, are experiencing a drop in cigarette sales of up to 45 percent, according to a story in the Oman Observer.
And the pattern of sales is different, with few sales being made during the day but a rush occurring after iftar, the breaking of the fast.
Smoking in public during the day is a punishable offence in the country, but it is generally only the sale of cigarettes that is reduced.
Sales of premium cigars, which are consumed mostly by Europeans, are not affected.
And the café shisha business is little affected because most customers visit these venues at night.