KSA ranks 4th in world in number of smokerssix million citizens and residents who live in the Kingdom smoke.45% of men over 15 years of age are smokers. 16% of female doctors in Riyadh smoke. 35% of high school female students are smokers. 23,000 people die every year because of smoking. SR12 billion spent annually on tobacco in the Kingdom. Smoking Sheesha (hookah) is equal to smoking 55 cigarettes.Recommendations Anti-smoking societies should play more active role. The number of anti-smoking clinics around the Kingdom should be increased. Smoking dangers should be taught to elementary school students. The price of cigarettes should be raised to a level that negatively affects one's budget. The import of tobacco and its derivatives should be gradually banned.Charity launches quit-smoking campaign during the Holy Month Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Under the slogans “Naga” (meaning purity) and “Quit smoking in Ramadan”, a Riyadh-based charity organization has launched a widespread campaign targeting smokers during the holy month. Ramadan, which is the fasting month when Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk, offers an ideal opportunity for smokers to kick the habit, said an official of the Sulaiman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Rajhi Charitable Society, the sponsor of the campaign. Fahd Al-Muqrin, Executive Director of the campaign, said “Naga” is meant for smokers and also for those who have smokers among their family members and friends. People will be advised to encourage smokers to visit clinics to be treated for tobacco addiction, he said. According to a recent survey, about 95 percent of Saudi athletes say the stadiums in the Kingdom should allocate separate stands for smokers. __
