Qahtani views an anti-smoking display in Riyadh, Saturday. (Okaz photo) RIYADH: Saeed Al-Qahtani, the head of General Security, has said that a ban on police and other officers smoking in official vehicles is set to come into effect soon. Al-Qahtani also said that enforcement of the ban on smoking in the workplace is to be steeped up in the offices of General Security. “The recommendations from the committee assigned to look at the problem of smoking are due to be put into effect soon,” he said. “They include the ban on smoking in the workplace and in official vehicles. The smoking problem is rife, and is a considerable danger to people.” He reiterated that “numerous circulars” had been sent out reminding of smoking bans at ministries and government departments as well as airports. “Statistics say that there are over one billion smokers in the world and that five million die every year from smoking-related diseases,” he said. Al-Qahtani was speaking at an anti-smoking event in Riyadh, part of a five-day General Security campaign held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Anti-Smoking Charity targeting employees in General Security across the country. According to head organizer of the campaign, Ayedh Al-Qarni, the campaign will run in 27 police centers and departments across the country. “The main goal is to promote awareness of both health and the law, and confirms the commitment to carrying through the decisions and orders issued on the subject of smoking,” he said.
