GCC ministers of health have unanimously agreed to raise the customs tariff on tobacco, SPA quoted Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Bin Abdullah Al-Mane' as saying Saturday. At a press conference following the launching of World Anti-smoking Day, in Riyadh, Al-Mane' said the ministers have referred their recommendation in this regard to the GCC Supreme Council. “The whole civil society must act as a single unit to combat smoking, as tobacco companies are very powerful,” he said, adding that the ministry will start a national campaign soon to eradicate tobacco. Dubai stubs out teen smoking Meanwhile, the Gulf emirate of Dubai Saturday banned the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 20 with immediate effect and barred young people from public areas in which smoking is allowed. The announcement was advertized in newspapers as part of a “Youth Without Tobacco” campaign. A Dubai municipality official said cigarette vendors have been instructed to ask clients for proof of identity even to smoke water pipes.
