Hamas in Gaza burns drugs used for recreation, slams tax on cigarettes in new virtue campaign

Hamas in Gaza burns drugs used for recreation

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Gaza’s Hamas rulers have burned more than 1 million pills of a pain killer many Gazans take because they say it relaxes them.

Hamas Health Minister Basim Naim said Tuesday that the drug, Tramadol, was confiscated from smugglers who sneak it through tunnels under the Gaza-Egyptian border. At Gaza’s largest hospital, workers tossed sacks of the drug into an incinerator.

Naim said many in Gaza are addicted to Tramadol, which is supposed to be available only by prescription. The drug is a mild opioid and experts say regular use can cause flulike withdrawal symptoms.

Hamas has also banned smoking in government offices and recently seized cigarettes from shops across Gaza to collect taxes on them.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza’s Hamas rulers have burned more than 1 million pills of a pain killer many Gazans take because they say it relaxes them.

Hamas Health Minister Basim Naim said Saturday that the drug, Tramadol, was confiscated from smugglers who sneak it through tunnels under the Gaza-Egyptian border. At Gaza’s largest hospital, workers tossed sacks of the drug into an incinerator.

Naim said many in Gaza are addicted to Tramadol, which is supposed to be available only by prescription. The drug is a mild opioid and experts say regular use can cause flulike withdrawal symptoms.

Hamas has also banned smoking in government offices and recently seized cigarettes from shops across Gaza to collect taxes on them.