n Nicotine addiction costs country SR2b a year It is highly commendable that the General Presidency of Youth Welfare has decided to ban smoking in certain areas at sports events. As we reported this week, this partial ban will precede an awareness campaign on the dangers of the noxious weed, in preparation for a future total ban. This has been a long time coming. There is no reason why some sports fans should be allowed to smoke on the terraces of stadiums and affect the health of everyone else. Smoking and sports do not go together at all. There is already a ban in place at the country's airports and it would be equally welcome to see no smoking enforced at all the country's malls, shopping centers and in the workplace. Of course, there are likely to be those who will protest, even some who will go as far as defying any ban. The authorities should be firm in clamping down on this behavior. Nicotine addicts behave like this the world over. They are in denial and believe they are entitled to smoke wherever they want. There are many smokers who will even reject the fact that they are addicted, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that classifies nicotine as one of the most addictive and harmful legal drugs on the market. There is also significant evidence that those who smoke cigarettes are likely to become involved in the abuse of other addictive substances. This is a grave situation, particularly in Saudi Arabia, a rich country, which appears to be increasingly targeted by international drug traffickers and those who use this illicit industry to raise money for other nefarious purposes. Statistics we published in this newspaper recently show that tough action is needed because 10 to 15 percent of secondary school pupils smoke. It has also been found that 16 percent of Saudi women smoke, with girls at intermediate school level forming 2.7 percent of this total. It should be pointed out that scientists consider all tobacco products harmful, including the so-called “safe” sheesha which is so popular in the Arab world. One fact that should have alarm bells ringing is that the harmful effects of tobacco are already costing the country SR2 billion annually, in health and other services, according to the Ministry of Health. This money could be more wisely spent on development programs for the poor. Our people, young and old, should be made aware that the sooner they stop this addictive behavior, the better it will be for their health and their country. __
