JEDDAH: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) stated Monday that it will impose a SR200 fine on anyone found smoking in any Saudi airport or airline facility. The smoking ban will be effective from Nov. 7. This was announced after Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation, Inspector General and Chairman of the GACA Board of Directors, approved the smoking ban regulations. Abdullah Rehaimi, GACA's president, called on all workers in the airport, and passengers to follow the new regulations. “The decision can help us preserve a healthy airport atmosphere,” said Rehaimi. Meanwhile, Director General of the Central Administration for Aviation Security, Abdul-Hameed Bin Hammad commented that the smoking ban decision consists of 11 regulations explaining the responsibility of the authorities.“The instructions urge GACA's members to set a good example by sticking to the new ruling and to report any violation,” said Hammad. Khaled Al-Khaibari, GACA's spokesman, told Saudi Gazette there are certain areas in the airports smokers can use. Commenting on the mechanism for penalizing violators, Khaibari pointed out that when someone ignores the ban, security officials will just need to get his or her identity card number to register the violation with the National Information Center and the Interior Ministry.
