Number of smokers surges in Saudi Arabia 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The number of smokers in Saudi Arabia has increased to six million, including 600,000 women, said Naif Al-Saeed, director of the Charitable Society to Combat Smoking in Al-Ahsa province.

He said 45 percent of women smokers in the Kingdom are in the Eastern Province. There are also 772,000 teenage smokers, including intermediate and secondary school students, he added.

Meanwhile, Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed will launch an anti-smoking campaign to enlighten the public on the negative effects of smoking.

Abdullah Al-Othaim, chairman of the Charitable Society to Enhance Awareness on the Harmful Effects of Smoking and Drugs, said the campaign would target 18,000 students.

Saudi Arabia is the fourth largest importer of cigarettes in the world. Thousands of workers die annually as a result of inhaling the smoke of fellow smokers during working hours. A recent poll, which included smokers and nonsmokers, revealed that an estimated 98 percent would like to ban smoking at their work environments.