JEDDAH, 13 June 2006 — Saudi Arabia’s largest national fast-food chain has decided to become a little more health conscious. On Saturday, Al-Baik became the first major chain food retailer in the Kingdom to implement a ban on smoking at its restaurants.
“This has been done on popular demand and in the interest of the wellbeing of our visitors and staff,” Al-Baik’s CEO Rami Abu Ghazaleh told Arab News yesterday. “Al-Baik thus achieves the distinction of becoming the first restaurant chain in the Kingdom to ban smoking on its premises,” he added.
Timed to coincide with World No Smoking Day (observed every year on June 10), the football themed campaign kicked off under the slogan “A New Goal ... For a Better Life” to remind smokers that by quitting their habit they will feel better and live better.
During a ten-day grace period, Al-Baik staff, dressed as referees, are handing customers who light a cigarette a yellow card warning them that smoking is a danger to their health and that of other customers. During this time customers also receive a free gift pack that includes yellow cards featuring the World Cup game schedules, stickers and chewing gum from Ghandour.
During the countdown days, a number of customers expressed their pleasure and gratitude for this initiative.
During the first week, over 150 visitors thanked the fast-food chain for the ban.
Those customers that didn’t agree with it however commented on their respect for it.
“If I want to smoke then I would take it outside,” said Ahmad Abdullah, a customer at the chain’s Sitteen Street outlet.
