More restrictions on buying cigarettes soon

JEDDAH – On the heels of the recent ban on the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18, government agencies are set to further tighten the noose on tobacco sellers with a string of fresh restrictions.

Al-Watan daily reported Thursday that the National Committee on Fighting Tobacco has made several recommendations that are set to be implemented. The recommendations include limiting the number of tobacco licenses, a ban on displaying tobacco products in prominent places and selling of individual cigarettes separately from the regular pack.

Another recommendation prohibited issuing tobacco licenses to shops near residential areas, mosques, schools and hospitals.

Other bans include the sale or purchase of tobacco products through the Internet and public displays of the logos of tobacco companies.

Prince Mansour Bin Mit’eb, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, issued a directive earlier this month banning supermarkets, grocery stores and other outlets from selling tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. — SG