The implementation of graphic warnings on cigarette packs, which was enforced in the middle of last year, has had a very minimal effect on smokers in the Kingdom.

Last week Indonesia, which has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world, set a law that obligates all cigarette companies to bear graphic photographic warnings on the packs. The Philippines also issued the same regulations early last week.

Saudi Arabia being the 23rd largest consumer of cigarettes in the world, in spite of its rather small population of 25 million people, has still not managed to convince its smokers to give up smoking with graphic warnings.

“A recent study conducted in most European countries confirmed that the introduction of graphic warnings on cigarette packs is more effective than text-only warning labels,” says Khaled Mirghalani, spokesman for the Ministry of Health.

The number of smokers in the Kingdom, according to statistics provided by a health official in 2010, was recorded at six million, including 600,000 women and 772,000 teenagers. Saudi Arabia was also found to have the second highest number of female smokers in the Arab Gulf region.

Mirghalani mentioned that as part of the government's commitment to protect public health and as per the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), graphic warnings on cigarette packs were introduced in the Kingdom. “The initiative showed positive results in the study and we are hoping it will have the same effect on smokers in the Kingdom.”

Several smokers say that graphic warnings used on cigarette packs, have not managed to damage their desire to smoke.

“Whenever I am about to buy a pack of cigarette, I come across these warnings and I’m aware that smoking is a severe hazard to my health. However ,my addiction overpowers these cautions,” says Merdoc Hussein, an occasional smoker, who works in customer services at TNT Express Jeddah.

Hussein says that the graphic warnings on cigarette packs in the Kingdom are not very effective. “I’ve heard that the photographic warnings on cigarette packs in Malaysia and other countries are very strong and convincing. I know a lot of people who have told me that they were afraid to smoke due to the graphics on the cigarette pack.”

Increasing the price of cigarettes will not inhibit people from smoking in the Kingdom either, says Hussein. “Most people here have sufficient income to buy cigarettes; they even buy two or three packs at a time.”

Hussein suggests the authorities concerned impose a stricter law on public smoking and fine violators heavily. “That way, it would at least reduce the number of people smoking in public.”

“Smoking is harmful and it can especially affect pregnant women,” says Dr. Wafa Fageeh, associate professor and a consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at King Abdulaziz University.

Fageeh says people need to be made aware of the health risks they are facing by smoking. “Public awareness needs to be much more comprehensive and we need to have effective campaigns against smoking, especially in schools,” she added.

There was an increase of one riyal last year on cigarette taxes, which aimed to reduce the number of smokers in the country by deterring citizens monetarily.

“I don’t think graphic warnings on cigarette packs will make any difference,” says Ayman Jarallah, a Saudi passive smoker. “The health risks of smoking are constantly discussed on TV, in newspapers, by doctors and among friends in our daily conversations. The written warnings are plenty. Showing people photographic images is not going to change their behavior if they haven’t already decided to quit.”

Others, however, think that photographic warnings can make a difference.

“Graphic warnings are a good way to prevent people who might start smoking from picking up this bad habit,” says Maha Ghalib, a Saudi mother of a teenage son and the wife of a passive smoker. “I’m sure a lot of smokers are aware that cigarettes can turn their lungs black but seeing a graphic warning may push some smokers to give up the habit. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. It wouldn’t hurt to have such warnings; I think it’s a good initiative.”