Last updated: May 26, 2022
Duties / Penalties
Post signs
The law does not impose a duty upon business owners, employers, or supervisors to post signs regarding smoke free areas.
To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should impose a duty upon business owners, employers, and/or supervisors to post signs regarding smoke free areas and impose penalties for violations of that duty.
Remove ashtrays
The law does not impose a duty upon business owners, employers, and supervisors to remove ashtrays from the premises.
To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law should impose a duty upon the owner, manager, or other person in charge of the premises to remove ashtrays from the premises.
Steps to require a person to stop smoking (e.g., warn, discontinue service, call authorities)
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
The law does not explicitly state that business owners/employers/supervisors must take steps to require a person to stop smoking. However, the law imposes a fine on “whoever allows smoking in indoor public places where smoking is prohibited." This is interpreted as imposing a duty to take steps to stop a person from smoking. Violations are punishable by a fine of not less than 1000 Riyals and not more than 3000 Riyals. The violation must also be published in two daily newspapers. In addition, the court may also order the closure of the establishment for a period of one to three months. Presumably, these penalties will be operational once an implementing decree has been issued by the Minister.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines. However, to more fully align, the law should specifically identify which individuals are responsible for this effort and are subject to fines. In addition, the law should provide for higher penalties for repeat violations.
Not to smoke where prohibited
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
The law imposes penalties on those who smoke where prohibited. Violations are punishable by a fine of not less than 1000 Riyals and not more than 3000 Riyals. The same fines are imposed upon anyone who smokes while driving a vehicle in the presence of anyone under the age of 18. The violation must also be published in two daily newspapers.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines. However, to more fully align, the law should impose increased fines for repeat offenses.
