MAKKAH/ENAIZA: The Kafa Society which runs campaigns on the harmful effects of smoking and drugs in Makkah, in cooperation with the Special Forces for Road Security, has launched an awareness program to highlight the dangers of the habit at the Al-Shumaisi checkpoints and on the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. Ibrahim Al-Hamdan, Director of the Kafa Society in Makkah, said the international agreement on combating tobacco, which Saudi Arabia signed seven years ago, should be instituted because this will ensure a society free from the harmful effects of smoking. Al-Hamdan stressed that the mayoral authorities should intensify monitoring of the sale of tobacco products within the boundaries of the Haram. He said that there is a royal order to make the cities of Makkah and Madina free from tobacco, and added that Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, wants to ensure Makkah can be ranked with other first world cities. Meanwhile it has been reported that the municipal council of Enaiza in Qassim has introduced a ban on the sale of all tobacco products in the town's urban zone. According to Al-Hayat Arabic daily, shops selling tobacco were informed previously of the ban's introduction and all outlets selling cigarettes and shisha products are now shut. The sale of tobacco products is now only permitted near shisha cafes located outside the borders of the municipality region. Muhammad Al-Bashari, head of the Enaiza municipality's public relations office, said that inspectors had been sent out to ensure the prohibition was being complied with. “The municipality has refused to issue licenses to any outlet to sell tobacco inside the urban zone, limiting the practice to the vicinities of shisha cafes that operate outside along main highways,” he said. He said the ban had been introduced gradually. “First tobacco and shisha products were banned in residential areas and confined to the industrial zone, but the municipality introduced with immediate effect the decision by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs which sought a reduction in the issuing of licenses for shops selling cigarettes.” Al-Bashari said that inspectors were conducting “surprise tours” covering all parts of the town to ensure compliance with the ban. “Any outlets found selling tobacco will have those products confiscated and will be dealt with according to the regulations,” he said.
