JEDDAH: The price of a pack of cigarettes in Saudi Arabia will double when a selective tax becomes effective June 11. The move will put a financial strain on smokers, but it may not necessarily lead them to quit smoking.
“The government’s decision to impose a tax on tobacco means that soon we will have to pay double for a pack of cigarettes, but the price hike is unlikely to make longtime smokers kick the habit,” IT expert Ahmad Al-Juhaini told Arab News.
Many smokers like Al-Juhaini agree that smoking is a bad habit, yet they find themselves “helpless against the addiction,” as he puts it. “We may only reduce the number of cigarettes we smoke on a daily basis. It’s not easy to just switch brands,” he said adding that he believes that the increase in prices “will definitely deter youngsters from taking up smoking.”
Like Al-Juhaini, 24-year-old Bedour, who started smoking three years ago, said her smoking habits will not change following the price hike. She now pays SR12 for a cigarette pack and is willing to pay SR24 in two weeks. “I didn’t start smoking because it was cheap in the first place and I wouldn’t quit now because the prices have doubled,” Bedour, a lawyer, said, adding that she will continue to purchase the same brand despite the price hike.
Selective tax will be imposed at 100 percent on tobacco and 50 percent on soft and energy drinks, which are high in sugar. The General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) said that the “selection” entails health-damaging products, as well as products that are harmful for the environment and complementary goods.
According to its official website, GAZT lists health problems due to the increase in consumption of unhealthy goods and the expenses that individuals and the government bear in treating the consequences of consuming these products among the reasons why the tax is being imposed.
Other reasons are the Kingdom’s tax policy reforms agreements with the other Gulf states and the commitments to the regional and international conventions signed to control the consumption of harmful goods by adjusting taxes and banning the promotion of these products as well as prohibiting smoking in public spaces.
Cigarette pack prices in Saudi Arabia are almost mid-range compared to other countries around the world. According to Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported consumer prices, the Kingdom is 64th out of 127 countries in the price ranking of a cigarettes with a pack by one of the major brands costing around $3.20.
The Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council received on May 23 two instruments of ratification of the unified tax treaty from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), concerning value added tax (VAT) and selective tax, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.
This makes the unified tax treaty in the GCC effective.
“The UAE is the second country to deposit two instruments of ratification to the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and as per the treaty, the submission of a second country makes activates the treaty,” SPA quoted the secretariat. The VAT will be implemented in the GCC on Jan. 1.
Smokers say Saudi price hike unlikely to make them kick habit
Smokers say Saudi price hike unlikely to make them kick habit
Crown prince receives governors of Saudi regions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received governors of the Kingdom’s regions following their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The Crown Prince was briefed on the most prominent topics discussed at the annual meeting.
He commended the governors’ efforts to serve the country, citizens and residents, and their work to achieve comprehensive development.
Saudi Arabia to host conference on role of universities in promoting peaceful coexistence
- The event will take place at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University on April 28 and 29
RIYADH: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh will host an international conference next month titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence.” It will take place on April 28 and 29 under the patronage of King Salman.
Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, the president of the university, thanked the king for his support and said the aim of the event is to “highlight the experiences of universities in promoting these lofty values, and to demonstrate the importance of correct doctrine and the approach of moderation,” the Saudi Press agency reported on Wednesday.
The participants will include leaders, dignitaries, scholars and intellectuals from the Kingdom and other countries, he added, who will share their specialist legal, scientific and social expertise during lectures, discussion sessions and workshops.
Weather warnings issued across Saudi Arabia until Monday
RIYADH: Members of the public have been urged to exercise caution over the coming days as weather warnings have been issued in several regions across Saudi Arabia.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense said there could be thunderstorms from Thursday to Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Moderate to heavy rain, leading to torrential rain, hail and high wind, has been forecast for Makkah region, including the Holy Capital, Al-Jumum, Al-Kamil, Bahra, Khulais, Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Ardiyat, Tarbah, Raniyah, Al-Muwayh, and Al-Khurmah.
The Riyadh region will be affected by similar weather conditions, including the capital, Diriyah, Afif, Al-Dawadmi. Al-Quwayiyah, Al-Majma’ah, Thadiq, Marrat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, Rumah, Huraymila, Darma, Al-Muzahmiyah, Al-Kharj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Salil, Al-Aflaj, Hotat Bani Tamim and Al-Hareeq.
The same has been forecast for the regions of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Border, Hail, Al-Qassim, and the Eastern Province.
Some parts of Makkah region, including Jeddah, Rabigh, Al-Laith, Al-Qunfudhah, will be affected by moderate rainfall that may lead to torrential rain, hail and high winds.
Some areas in the regions of Jazan, Najran and the Eastern Province will be affected by light to medium rain and active downward winds that raise dust and dirt, the authority added.
The directorate called on the public to stay safe and away from places which could be affected by floods or become swamped. It urged people not to swim in such places as this would be dangerous, and to adhere to any instructions issued through the media or social media networks.
Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. honors winners of mosque design competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. concluded an architectural design competition for Diriyah mosques, with the participation of a number of talented male and female architects, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday
The Diriyah Mosques Architectural Design Competition aims to showcase their skills and contribute to developing the architectural landscape of Diriyah through their participation in the contest to support local creative talent in Islamic architecture and promote the development of sustainable construction.
The winners were announced during the annual Diriyah Suhoor at the Bujairi Terrace in the heart of the historic Wadi Hanifah.
Participants were invited to submit designs for two mosques in Diriyah in the Najdi style and constructed within the project’s master plan, using traditional building techniques and materials from the region.
Participating students were required to be familiar with traditional construction methodologies and apply them in their designs through this competition, which sought to achieve a set of goals to serve the local community and visitors.
The two mosques reflect the rich cultural heritage that characterizes Diriyah and the authentic architectural style of the region, as the competition is part of Diriyah Co.’s commitment to consolidating the traditions of distinctive Najdi architecture and enhancing community participation in Diriyah development projects.
A total of 170 submissions from groups and individuals were nominated for meeting the criteria set by the competition and the final stage of the competition witnessed the evaluation of the best 11 designs by the jury, which consisted of a number of highly qualified professional architects.
The evaluation criteria focused on the compatibility of the designs with the master plan for Diriyah, the design brief and their integration with the ancient heritage of Diriyah.
Three groups consisting of 12 participants emerged victorious and the winning entries were distinguished by their creativity and sustainability and their highlighting of Najdi culture and heritage.
The two winning designs for first and second place will be used in building the two mosques, which will contribute to developing the urban landscape and enabling the community to participate in the development of Diriyah.
The competition was launched in July and received widespread interest, as 539 male and female students from 31 universities took part, including 27 from the Kingdom, a university from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and three international institutions.
A total of 296 designs were submitted by both individual and groups of three to five students.
GCC chief meets Hungary’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi met the Ambassador of Hungary to the Kingdom Balazs Selmeci at the headquarters of the council in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The officials discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the GCC and Hungary in various fields, and the latest regional and international developments of common interest, the GCC reported.
Al-Budaiwi on Tuesday had discussions with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Berik Aryn on the ministerial meeting that will be held later this year between GCC and Central Asian countries in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.