JEDDAH: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has said that 61 persons were fined for smoking in the Kingdom's airports in the first five days after the introduction of the ban last week. “It's a very low number, and a very good sign that people are heeding the ban,” said Abdul Balarri, head of GACA's Central Security Administration. “We expect the number to fall until we reach a day when not a single person is caught smoking.” Balarri said that proceeds from fines go to the Ministry of Health “Awareness of the Dangers of Smoking Fund”. “That shows that the ban has humanitarian priorities and does not have financial aims,” he said. — Okaz/Saudi GazetteBalarri noted, however, that there are designated smoking areas at airport departure lounges.
