Excessive use of tobacco
is one of the thriving issues, gaining momentum all over the world in the
recent years. Saudi Arabia falls in the category of the country that is
following the same trend. According to local business daily Al-Eqtisadiyah,
Saudi Arabia imported 38,500 ton of cigarettes worth about SR3.6 billion ($1
billion) in 2015. The previous record reveals the fact that the Saudi Kingdom
had imported cigarettes worth SR2.6 billion in 2012, SR3 billion in 2013 and
SR2.5 billion in 2014. Based on the data base the import of cigarettes has
paced up to SR13 billion in the past four years. This data base evaluates the
progress of the tobacco market which is
accelerating with greater speed in Saudi Arabia.
Production of cigarettes
are banned in the Kingdom, therefore all
tobacco containing items like
cigars, pipe tobaccos and cigarettes are
imported from different countries .Cigarette is ranked as 20thnumber in the list of commodities consumed by the
Saudi Kingdom. Cigarettes are imported from 17 countries among which Turkey,
Germany and Switzerland exports 91 percent to meet the substantial demand.
About 57 percent of the Kingdom’s imported cigarettes, valued at over SR2
billion, come from Germany. Other countries that export tobacco and cigarettes
to the Saudi Kingdom includes South
Africa, India, Czech Republic, France, Indonesia, Poland, the Philippines,
Egypt, Italy, Pakistan and others.
As reported by the
newspaper, “The Kingdom's imports of cigarettes from Germany surpass its
imports of cars, barley and other items.” This highlights the fast growing trend
of tobacco consumers in the Saudi Kingdom. Despite of numerous efforts by
government to control the excessive use of tobacco the import of cigarette is
acing with the passage of time .In order to minimize the use of tobacco, Saudi
government has taken measures to stop media advertising particularly in TVCS
and social media .Moreover many anti –smoking campaigns are being initiated at
provincial levels to inform people abouthigh health risks associated with
smoking.
As informed by the
resources the Saudi Naqaa’ society is planning to hold a meeting with the
acting Health Minister Adel Fakeikh to discuss the ways of combatting the wide
spread of Tobacco .The main agenda of the meeting is to stop the rising number
of smokers in the country while introducing anti-smoking awareness campaigns
through seminars and talkshows.
The society chairman, Dr.
Mohammed Yamani, describes the situation as “frightful” as more and more people
of all ages are falling victim to this injurious disease of smoking. Children
especially teenagers are also involve in consuming cigarettes which creates an
alarming situation for the state. He added that the society after valuable
discussion with other members will propose a constructive action plan in order
to make smoking an illegal act in the country. The most important aspect of the
proposal will deal with the taxation policy. Increasing the price of cigarette
will affect the consumption rate in return improving health issues.
Meanwhile, government
authorities are toiling to cease smoking in public Areas. They have also
introduced rules prohibiting the use of cigarettes for the under 18 children.
On the other side, shopkeepers are warned to be taken to task if found guilty
in handling cigarette to children.
Health
Issues in Saudi Arabia
- Best Places to buy Cigar in Al Khobar
- Laws related to smoking cigarettes and Shisha in KSA
- Smoking Shisha, Hookah and its dire consequences
- Daughter gets 3000 retweets for father to quit smoking
- SR 200 fine for smoking in Public Areas of Saudi Arabia
- A Guide to Smoke Shisha in Saudi Arabia
- 65% of the Secondary School Girls are addicted to Smoking
