JEDDAH, 6 July 2006 — The Ministry of Health has pledged to offer pay rises and rewards to MOH staff who give up smoking.
Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie had announced earlier that his ministry was considering a decision to reward employees who quit smoking.
MOH spokesman Dr. Khaled Merghalani said those employees who give up smoking or who have already done so will be eligible to receive incentives.
The spokesman added that employees would need to present proof from supervisors and would be asked to undertake anti-smoking programs at health clinics to ensure they have really stopped smoking and that their lungs are clean.
Dr. Merghalani added that the employees would also be required to take medical checkups three months after having officially given up smoking.
The spokesman said that upon presenting results and proof, employees would receive a “Thank You” letter signed by the minister of health. Organizers hope that the program will help smokers who work at other departments and sectors to also follow suit.
According to an MOH survey conducted online, 62 percent of smokers at the ministry began smoking between the ages of 10 and 20; 27 percent between the ages of 20 and 30; nine percent before the age of 10 and two percent after the age of 30.
Samir Muhammad, 27, works at another government department and says if his company implements a similar decision then he would also be willing to quit smoking.
“It is an excellent offer and I guess people are just waiting for such a decision to help them from harming themselves and people around them,” he said.
Details of the MOH anti-smoking program can be found at www.tc-sa.net.
