The Saudi Naqaa’ Society to Combat Smoking is slated to meet with Acting Health Minister Adel Fakeih to discuss the smoking habit and the rising number of smokers of both genders in the Kingdom, and the possibility of raising the prices of cigarettes. 

Dr. Mohammed Al-Yamani, chairman of Naqaa’ Society to Combat Smoking in the Kingdom, said the increase in the number of smokers among men, women and children in Saudi Arabia is “alarming,” which prompted the society to demand authorities to raise prices.

Al-Yamani dismissed rumors alleging that raising the prices of cigarettes is closely linked with the spikes in food prices and the increasing efforts of cigarettes’ smuggling, adding: “I am personally surprised that some people think that an increase in the price of items would lead to an increase in smuggling attempts. There are effective measures in place to prevent any smuggling efforts.” 

The chairman of the society reiterated that the low prices of cigarettes constitute an important factor which encourages citizens to smoke, adding the local prices of cigarettes are rather low to compared to those in other countries of the region. 

“Cigarettes in the US cost 13 dollars and 7 euros a pack in Europe, much higher priced than its cost in Saudi Arabia, because the tobacco taxes imposed on merchants are very high,” he explained.  

Al-Yamani stressed the fact that banning smoking in public places will have positive healthy impacts on non-smokers, adding: “Although we are much more behind the rest of the world in this ban.”

He said selling cigarette packs in airports should be banned as well.

Commenting on the number of smokers in the Kingdom he said: “It is difficult to put an exact figure because all the statistics were built on inaccurate surveys that did not cover all regions of the Kingdom.