Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — In flagrant defiance of authorities, some tobacco companies in Dammam have hired young men to offer free cigarette samples to smokers in streets and cafés, Al-Yaum daily reported Sunday. The young men with backpacks full of cigarette packets, walk around freely in streets targeting smokers. They would approach a smoker and offer him a free cigarette packet, a different brand from the one he smokes, in an attempt to market the products of the company they work for. Chairman of Charitable Anti-Smoking Association (NAQA) Dr. Muhammad Yamani told Al-Yaum that these companies have violated regulations prohibiting direct and indirect tobacco advertisement. “We're aware of some companies in Riyadh and Jeddah that had promoted and marketed tobacco products near hotels and other public sites.” Tobacco companies use misleading advertisements to lure young smokers and make more money, he said. Yamani called upon authorities to ban the sale of all types of cigarettes and take cigarette packets off shelves. Anyone involved in promoting cigarettes should be held responsible for their action which is detrimental to public health. Authorities should exercise more control on the market. Eastern Province mayoralty spokesman Muhammad Al-Sofyan said it is against the law to promote tobacco products in the market and there is a committee that implements procedures against violators.
