Despite the adverse effects of smoking including the health hazards and economic costs, there are few signs the habit is on the decline. The Kingdom ranks fourth in the world when it comes to the import and consumption of tobacco. The estimated six million smokers among Saudis and expatriates spend SR1 billion ($267million) annually on buying cigarettes and tobacco. Riyadh alone accounts for 35 percent of the Kingdom’s total cigarette consumption. And despite both official and private efforts to combat the habit, an estimated 23,000 people die annually in Saudi Arabia of smoking-related diseases; in other words, 63 per day.
Last year the Saudi Council of Ministers introduced new legislation to combat smoking; the legislation is expected to come into effect this year. It bans smoking in public buildings and places, especially in facilities near mosques, as well as in ministries and in health, education, sport and cultural institutions and public transport. The law puts a fine of SR200 on violators. Cultivating and processing tobacco and its products is punishable by a fine of SR20,000. The proceeds from the fines will be used to finance awareness campaigns and encourage private anti-smoking societies.
The law requested government institutions dealing with education, health, information, sport, culture and social affairs to launch sustained awareness campaigns using the latest techniques to discourage people, especially the younger generation, from smoking. The private sector has also been asked to participate. It remains to be seen whether these institutions will prove they have the ability and determination to develop and enforce such programs. What counts in the end will be the ability to follow up closely which means monitoring and ensuring strict implementation of the laws. Failure by any government institution to participate could defeat the entire drive with negative effects on any future initiatives.
The Kingdom will soon ratify the World Health Organization’s Anti-Smoking Treaty, a step that will give a strong boost to efforts to fight the menace and allow the country to benefit from international anti-smoking programs. The Ministry of Health has a major role to play and it must begin with nationwide campaigns targeting schools and universities. The media too has an active role to play.
