Citing safety and security reasons, the Jeddah governorate has banned gas stations from handing out free boxes of tissue papers and water bottles to motorists filling up.

The ban came into force on Nov. 2 following an order by Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, and after Civil Defense inspections of local gas stations, according to reports.

To attract customers, some gas stations hand out a free box of tissue papers or a big bottle of water for every SR10 petrol bought. The ban includes the sale of mobile phone airtime cards.

Ali Akbar, a gas station attendant, told Arab News that the government had introduced the ban. “We have pasted up a local newspaper report at our petrol station to let our customers know about this new order, so that they don’t get angry,” he said.

He said the municipality had seized 25 cartons of water from the station.

Hafizur Rahman, a motorist, said he would miss the free gifts, especially the tissue boxes that he kept in his car for personal use. “I used to look out for petrol stations offering this service but now I go to any station,” he said.

Another motorist, Arshad Husain, said he used to collect the tissue boxes and send them home to his family. He said he was saddened by the decision and hoped it would be overturned.

Abdul Kareem, a driver, said that he used to buy his mobile phone cards from gas stations because it was more convenient than going to a shopping center. He hoped that the mobile phone companies would set up booths at gas stations as they do overseas.