A ban on smoking inside all Saudi airports and a SR200 fine for violators were approved on October 18 by Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation and chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). Abdullah Al-Rahimi, president of GACA, said the new rule has been prepared by GACA in cooperation with other relevant bodies, and that the aim is to create a healthy, clean and smoke-free environment at airports across the Kingdom. Al-Rahimi said airports have been asked to implement the ban starting Dul Hijjah 1 (Nov. 7). He also called on airport staff and passengers to stop smoking inside airports and to cooperate with airport security in respecting the ban. Special smoking areas will be designated inside the Kingdom’s airports for smokers. Airport employees who smoke will be fined, have their airport security cards confiscated and issued official warnings. Fines will be issued by airport security, which operates under the Royal Air Force. Smokers who are fined will be asked for their Saudi ID cards or iqamas.
SAUDIA BANS SMOKING AT AIRPORTS
A ban on smoking inside all Saudi airports and a SR200 fine for violators were approved on October 18 by Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation and chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)
