Warning over cologne drinking in Qatar
The abuse of cologne as liquor amongst low-income workers has reached alarming proportions in Qatar, construction industry officials have warned.
The increase in its consumption is causing loss of productivity to companies and a variety of ailments among labourers, they said.
“Its use has reached epidemic proportions. Almost every week we end up terminating an abuser,” said a human resource official managing 2,800 labourers .
Readily available in mega-marts and neighbourhood shops, suspicious-looking cologne bottles with virtually no labelling are bought by low-income workers for using the stuff as an alcohol substitute.
“What we do now is, issue a verbal warning followed by a written one. If a worker is caught again, we suspend him for 3-5 days. As a last resort we terminate the services of the individual in an attempt to maintain discipline in the workers’ camp,” the HR official said.
However, the abuse has become so widespread it does not even raise an eyebrow.
Yesterday afternoon, a group of three low-income workers was spotted in a hypermarket buying three bottles of a particular cologne brand.
“We will mix it with a soft drink and consume it,” said a member of the group.
“It should be good for seven to eight people in our room. We use it for medicinal purposes,” the worker said.
Cologne is a scented liquid made of alcohol and various fragrant oils.
An industry official, an environmental, safety and health manager for decades, said what concerned him the most was the long-term health ailments the abusers were developing.
“Its become so normal we keep sending them to the Hamad hospital. We’ve tried to be vigilant and raid their rooms but they will change bottles to make the “cologne drink” look like normal soda,” the HSE official said.
“I know a lot of them are depressed, but they are buying themselves nothing but trouble,” he added.
According to a general practitioner, Dr Intikhabuddin, the alcohol in cologne is not meant to be for human consumption and could be life threatening.
“There could be local hazards such as stomach ailments or long-term problems, including renal failure. This could even lead to death in some cases,” he warned.
Access to alcohol in Qatar is strictly controlled through a permit system. Violators of alcohol rules are, in most cases, deported.
hahahaa Mike im chill as a pill !! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPP
pffft, talk about desperation.. :P
Reclee, come on! I like the hard stuff... Listerine would do the trick!
Man, seriously... relax!
Mike let go have a drink on me how about some cologne :P
The only way to treat with it is to deal the reasons they are drinking cologne to begin with. I don't see that happening any time soon.
Reclee123, I think you are pizzz simply because QDC took away your drink card for good LOL!
Brit is right. I have seen people BECOMING alcoholics in Saudi. Prohibiting alcohol makes no difference.
It is not only to do with the sale of alcohol. I worked in Saudi, where most people - Westerners, Easterners brewed their own.
I have seen cases of alcohol addiction in different people - brought on mainly by depression, loneliness and not having anything to do.
The simple fact is that the life of an Expat is not an easy one and many many people are not suited to it.
LincolnPirate before trying to get expats out change 1st learn to have your real name on a page not a catholic name to attract filipino women ! Secondly LincolnPirate if expats left this country what would u eat SAND !! ?
All restraut cooks are indian or Expat even ARABIC food untill and unless Your MUM wants to cook for all us.... LincolnPirate You are such a looser lolz.... Get a life may be a european one coz if you are an arab ur a wanna BE !!!
Now , here is the situation with alcohol. As per Qatar constitution , Qatar follows the Wahabi sect of Sunna. That makes the sell of alcohol prohibited. Nearly a decade ago, sell of alcohol was permitted through QDC/QA to appease "certain foreigners" despite many locals resentment. That's why many locals believe that once the parliament election takes place they have a strong legal chance of having the sell of alcohol prohibited again, which I doubt
Now with 2022 , it's clear that locals have to live with the fact that the sell of alcohol will be permitted as per the same conditions. But I doubt that any further flexibility would take place beyond QDC, QA & 5* hotels.
... and, please, send those fake soccer players in the Qatar national team home, too. We don't need them!
I agree with abood. Expats go home! Government: close the alcohol distribution company NOW! Uh, you still want the money. Come on, you don't need it. Uh, you want some new buildings? Forget it. You don't need them. What for? They are empty anyway.
I've posted an alarming article about this a month ago
http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1544200
Like many local intellects have warned, the situation of migrant workers needs to be resolved soon by officials
Substance abuse is going to be there - whether it is legal or not.
Are the authorities not responsible for this tragic events. How come some people can have permits, drink and have a good time while others just because they are not paid enough, are poor labourers or just under paid workers cannot have the same privelege to have a drink during their off day or just have a good time with friends and colleagues. The whole process is in very bad taste and stinks and for sure sends all the wrong signals.
waoooooo..cologne..that is very dangerous.it'll fry the liver and kidneys..like big time fry..
Buddhajo -- I don't care.
abood 110..ur lucky Indians are generally well behaved and law abiding..imagine the same amount of ppl in your country from ANY arab nationality..ud be really having trouble..lol..besides,if u have half a brain,ud realise that Indians contribute a lot more to Qatar than you realise..from the bottom to the top..Enterprising lot..that us..so save your 'get out' speech and wake up to the fact that you are not doing any Indian here a favour.We work at all rungs of your society..unlike most of you who havent a clue about the real world.
Totally agree
Research needs to be done.
When did it start prior or post Qatar?
Why did it start?
Why does it continue?
Also check understanding of the physical and mental harm different substance abuse can cause.
where alcohol is freely available, I might add. There is an entire community that drinks metholyted spirits...
They do this, because its a much cheaper form of alcohol, than what they can afford, since the community I am talking about are homeless.
Its just funny, however, that here other than the obvious side effected of drinking contaminated alcohol, people are controlling adults and not allowing them to have a drink - most of these labourers are not mulsim and should there fore not fall under the muslim ban of not getting alcohol licences - although I do understand that cost is probably the biggest factor, that even with licences, they wouldn't be able to afford the prices.
they're resourceful, full respect.
the reasons for the substance abuse need to be addressed. I was reading an article last week about the plight of Indian construction workers in Dubai who have been laid off, but haven't been paid by their companies. they are in limbo and depressed. many are resorting to substance abuse to ease their pain.
yes you are right. substance abuse can take many forms and it needs to be seriously addressed.
Reclee maybe you have gotten high just a few too many times.
yes you are right. substance abuse can take many forms and it needs to be seriously addressed.
Reclee maybe you have gotten high just a few too many times.
This is a dangerous health issue and needs to be addressed seriously. Leaving aside all other aspects its a major health hazard. I have also heard of Glue Sniffing to get high. Even if the country was open to Alcohol those who cannot afford it will resort to such means. Unfortunate.
I found that the most hating people in here are Indians, and this is the the third time that I say it: if you don't like Qatar, leave for the love of God.
yeah I still think this country has worse restrictions
Ive been to saudi, UAE, Qatar.... and trust me UAE and bahrain are readyy chilled out places
I dont wanna reach about these people who have done this not to mention i have tried this as well
But i cant blame them they need to GET HIIIIIIIIGGGGHHH
like what im gonna do tonight :)
Reclee, th article , you may want to read it,talks about those who consume Eau de Cologne.
Sid is common all over the ME.
hahaha well thats what they drink.
do they have a choice Nope
althought u can get other alcohol there
but its very expensive.
What do u prefer ..... !!
I know of Sid. Very dangerous stuff, has ti be massively cut to be consumed,tastes vile.
Reclee, you can't teach me anything.
I would not go there.
Nomerci,
Now i have a have a perfect answer to your Question theres a drink there called siddque.
ever heard of it i guess u have not it has similar taste to Vodka
Costs 25 riyals ( Cheaper than all alcoholic drinks you can buy here in Qatar) good for atleast 5 people.
I guess ur knowledge is a bit limited here. Where there is a will there is a way
Imagine this.
Your a smoker and ur not allowed to smoke.
What would u do i would be doing roll ups
Is that legal Nope.
But i want to smoke.
eww that's gross!
So you are back again
Reclee, there are many non Muslims in Saudi.
I am "calling" nobody an alcoholic. But there are articles that explain why some of those guys are alcoholics BEFORE they come over here.
And why would those other nationalities never been here??
Well do u realsize there would be NO expats here except for muslims LIKE SAUDI ?
Lets start naming a few nationalities who would have never been here
Europe =
American=
South East Asian=
non Muslim Indians=
And excuse me who are you calling alcoholics.These people dont have alcoholic abuse. THEY HAVE CHOICE.
THATS NOT EVEN ALCOHOL ( or should i say synthesised alcohol)
We do see them as one of us, that's how we can relate to their problems..
Reclee, actually quite a few of those guys came over here as alcoholics...they did not start that here.
I wonder if any of u guys ever look at labourers as one of us
MAY BE YOU DONT !!
That make u an A-hole too.............
Yeah this is where the law and government in Qatar FAILS .
Ive seen people drink that because you ( The government ) makes things difficult.
Imagine a WORLD CUP where all u can drink is COlogne !! LMAO!!!!
QATAR .... Improve before another revolution
Cough syrup...so: no coughing and feel good? Oh, yeeeeaaaahhhhh....
Labour will never change i suppose, now new thing cologne!
I know lots of labour who drink cough syrup for same reason, 2-3 bottles of cough syrup at once.
Government can try to stop such thing but its tough to stop.
Thanx brit!
I've been with the ship in Jeddah (KSA) and there was forbidden even the vinegar on the table because it contains...alcohol!!!
Welcome back.. You were missed..
In the old days, Russian soldiers used to distill alcohol from boot polish :O(
So: feel good and have a nice breath? Yeeeaaaahhhhhhhh....
A sad way of drowning their sorrows and forgetting their hardships.
A substitute to Alcohol?! :-(