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Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is planning to impose ‘sin tax’ on tobacco products in proposed measures against smoking.
If so, cigarette prices in Saudi Arabia would double, and in what they believe would discourage consumption.
However, such a move has already met opposition by members of Saudi society who believe young men and women may engage in illegal practices such as theft to buy cigarettes.
According to a report in English daily Saudi Gazette, supporters of the proposal say cigarettes are a gateway drug that may lead to more serious addictions.
They have called on the government to restrict access and increase the prices to make it inaccessible.
These supporters believe that such a move will reduce overall tobacco consumption.
They stress that any move to increase prices should be followed with awareness campaigns that utilise modern technology to encourage people to quit smoking.
The Anti-Smoking Society (Naqaa) has exerted great efforts and helped many smokers, both men and women, kick the habit.
The Kingdom spends over SR5 billion every year on medical treatment of smoking-related diseases.
Tobacco use causes lung cancer and heart disease.
Globally, 6 million people die every year as a result of tobacco use while 600,000 die of passive smoking.
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