JEDDAH — The newly imposed ban on smoking in public places has drawn dismay from many women smokers who believe that the decision has been implemented without much thought given to the impact on businesses and provision of alternative places for smokers. Dr. Abduaziz Al-Nahari, official spokesman for the Jeddah municipality, said the municipality is monitoring indoor cafes to make sure the ban is being implemented and no more grace periods will be granted to cafes. “Any indoor cafe that offers or allows smoking will be fined and shut down,” he said. Najla Karam, a 25-year-old Saudi designer, said the smoking ban is harder for women. She believes a smoking zone is imperative in a society like Saudi Arabia where children are exposed to the risks of passive smoking. She said there should at least be a smoking section or few cafes that are allowed to have indoor smoking. She added: “Women don't have a place to smoke anymore. The men have it easy. They can just step out for a smoke, like they do in London, New York or Dubai. But the difference is women can't.” Saudi Arabia is ranked fifth in the world, and second in the Arab Gulf region in the number of women smokers, according to a report in a local Arabic daily. About a third of the Saudi population smoke, the study said. Hamad Ali, a 29-year-old cafe manager, told Saudi Gazette: “I had the municipality people come in. They said the ban is effective immediately and we were made to remove the ashtrays and tell our customers that they can no longer smoke. “One of the customers took his coffee and left. He said he wouldn't be coming back because of the ban. “He was a loyal customer who used to come at least once every day.” He said the smoking ban deprived some cafes of 80 percent of their customers, and this will have follow-on effect. He added: “If a business is not making enough profit they will cut down on costs, such as labor.” Many businessmen complained to Saudi Gazette about the short notice period prior to the ban and about the municipality for not issuing licenses for cafes, which earn most of their profits from sheesha sales. One businessman said: “In Qatar I was told there is license available for allowing for non-smokers, so we applied and got it. “You can or should at least have an option where businesses that want and can afford it to get a license for indoor smoking. “And frankly speaking, if non-smokers have a problem they can go to another café, just the way smokers have to now.” 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. Ahmed Al-Sharif, a 32-year-old Saudi marketing director living in Jeddah, said: “Change is subtle. Change comes in slowly. “Knowing the statistics of smoking in Saudi Arabia, how can you take away the oldest and most common form of leisure from its people and expect them to comply immediately? “It's like taking away a child's most prized possession and expecting him not to react. “I personally don't like the ban. I think if people have a problem they should sit in the non-smoking section or not bring their kids to an environment where they are exposed to passive smoking.” According to recent statistics, more than 6 million Saudi men smoke cigarettes and smokers spend SR18 million every day on smoking. Talah Hussein, a 34-year-old manager, said: “I had been going to this restaurant since I was a kid. “I remember we used to bunk school and spend time in this American franchise. “I still went there after university, graduation and my wedding. “Suddenly one day they came and told me smoking is not allowed, not even in the smoking section. “I asked them where I could go and smoke. The waiter said outside. “So I asked where my wife could smoke. He said maybe on the road. “That just enraged me and I never came back again. I mean, what are women supposed to do?” Talah said he has not visited his favorite restaurant since the ban came into existence. He added: “I used to go there two to three times a week and the manager told me he is losing business and customers because of the ban.” The municipality can fine flouters of the ban up to SR5,000 and even close down businesses in case of repeat offenses as per powers given by the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. Ali Murad, a 52-year-old businessman in the Rehab district of Jeddah, said: “Give us a warning, a grace period or a notice. “How can you suddenly decide smoking indoors is banned when you know most cafes run on their sheesha sales? “I have been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years and now I see the sudden difference. “My customers ask me where they can go and smoke. “They do not have an alternative and I think the fact they applied the ban everywhere is bad for customers and businesses.”
