NAIA advises passengers: UK ban on khat plant in effect

Passengers arriving or leaving through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport may have to think twice before bringing the khat plant, as a United Kingdom ban on it is now in effect.

In a post on its social media accounts, the Manila International Airport Authority said the British Embassy had stressed the ban became effective last Tuesday.

The MIAA posted on its Facebook page last Monday a June 18 memo ordering the dissemination of the advisory for the information of the riding public.

It also posted a copy of a June 13 letter from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the MIAA, informing it of the ban that will take effect 7 a.m. PHL time.

"From that time, UK law enforcement will have the power to seize and destroy all forms of khat (fresh, dried, frozen or otherwise processed) or products containing khat and will likely prosecute individuals and businesses or others breaking this law. Criminal penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine will apply," it said.

A report of the British Broadcasting Co. said khat "acts as a stimulant when chewed," and is considered a banned class C drug in the UK.

"Users chew the bitter leaves of this natural stimulant. It is supposed to make them more alert and raise energy levels, which is why supporters of khat say it is as harmless as coffee or tea," it said.

However, it added khat has two main stimulants that speed up the user's mind and body, making people "happy and talkative but can cause insomnia and temporary confusion."

It added khat could "make pre-existing mental health problems worse and it can provoke feelings of anxiety and aggression."

"It can also inflame the mouth and damage teeth, and there are concerns about the long-term risk of mouth cancers," it added. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

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