RIYADH — The General Commission For Audiovisual Media (GCAM) banned a famous Arab female Snapchatter from advertising in Saudi Arabia after she violated several laws in the Kingdom by promoting smoking. GCAM slapped a fine amounting to SR400,000 on the female Snapchatter for practicing work without a license, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Ministry of Commerce seized the violating facility that was promoted and imposed legal penalties on it. The Arab female violated several regulations, including: the audio-visual media law, the e-commerce law, and the anti-smoking law by practicing advertising without a license, and publishing videos and promoting tobacco through her accounts on social media. Regulations in the Kingdom prohibit promoting, marketing or advertising tobacco and smoke products directly or indirectly, GCAM said. The violation was also referred to the committee of penalties of the e-commerce system to impose legal penalties on it and the commercial establishment for committing a violation of promoting tobacco products online. The authority issued a circular calling on not dealing with the advertiser or advertises with it, and to notify the visitor to stop advertising in the Kingdom or in content directed to the Saudi audience. GCAM and the Ministry of Commerce stress the obligation to adhere to the laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom.
