Gulf | Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia set to battle multinational tobacco firms

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health Dr Hamad Al Manie vowed to vigorously pursue its legal battle against multinational tobacco companies, seeking compensation worth 127 billion riyals (Dh124.3 billion).

  • By Mariam Al Hakeem, Correspondent
  • Published: 23:54 November 13, 2008
  • Gulf News

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health Dr Hamad Al Manie vowed to vigorously pursue its legal battle against multinational tobacco companies, seeking compensation worth 127 billion riyals (Dh124.3 billion).

"The compensation demanded by the ministry from tobacco companies is a realistic amount meticulously estimated by the ministry's Legal Affairs Department. The Saudi citizen is no less important than the American for whom the tobacco companies in the US decided to pay an amount of $250 billion (Dh917.5 billion)," he said.

Dr Al Manie noted that the ministry is spending about 8 billion riyals every year on campaigning against smoking and treating those who suffer from smoke-related illnesses.

"Our campaign against smoking will continue unabated, especially among children and young people who are targeted by cigarette companies," the minister said.

Al Manie said the ministry would launch a TV channel, named "Health," on November 15 to boost its campaign against smoking. The minister also lauded the decision of MBC not telecast tobacco advertisements.

It is noteworthy that Riyadh public court had postponed hearing of the case filed by the ministry against the American and European tobacco companies several times because of the non-show of the company agents.

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