Laura Bashraheel Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – With the implementation of the smoking ban in Jeddah, cafes around the city have reported a noticeable decrease in the number of customers. The Jeddah municipality has already begun its inspection rotations around the city, checking for any violations of serving hookah or smoking of any kind. The official spokesman of the Jeddah municipality, Abdulaziz Al-Nahari, said the municipality is monitoring indoor cafes to make sure the ban is being implemented. “No extensions will be granted to cafes,” he added. The municipality can fine flouters of the ban up to SR5,000 and even shutter businesses if repeat offenses take place as per powers given to them by the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. According to several Jeddah residents who spoke to the Saudi Gazette, indoor cafes are significantly empty. Samar Abdul Raheem said she went to Aroma Café and was told shisha would not be served and cigarettes weren't allowed. “I don't think Aroma Cafe will shut down because the food there is good so people would still go despite the ban. However, I think small cafes will definitely close since people only go there to smoke and not eat,” she said. According to a report, more than 3,500 restaurants and cafes in Jeddah will be forced to close due to the ban. For small businesses and investors, losses are estimated at SR150 million. Bandar Saad, owner of a small cafe, said he was finding it very hard to keep business running with the smoking ban. “I invested a lot of money in this café and now I rarely have people coming in. They should have given us a year's notice so we could better manage our businesses and estimate our losses,” he said. Youngsters, a great number of whom smoke, believe the smoking ban is a bad decision as there are no more outlets for them to spend time. “I'm not against it but I do believe that they should at least make outdoor smoking areas. Now, I will stay home with my friends since we all smoke,” said Hassan Sayed while admitting that the ban may eventually help him kick the habit.
