Intention to raise the insurance on smokers in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Health Insurance Council is considering raising the value of the health insurance policy on smokers after the adoption of the Minister of Health in charge of Adel Faqih, of a proposal in this regard made by the Saudi Society for the anti-smoking (purity) in a recent meeting.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of "purity" Association, Dr Mohammed Jaber Al-Yamani said that: it is unacceptable that the Ministry of Finance does not adopt the request to raise taxes on tobacco products, which rose to it by the Executive Board of the Health Ministers of the Gulf, until now.
"Al Yamani" said that : The cigarette pack price in the United States and European Union countries reached the equivalent of 40 riyals as a result of raising taxes, while a pack of cigarettes price in Saudi Arabia still 8 SR and the price increased only two riyals during the 20-year-old, which is a very low price globally, Even become one of the most highlight gifts that the pilgrims are keen to acquire when they left Saudi Arabia to present as a gift to their smoker friends.
He wondered why only cigarettes remained at this low price, despite of the current inflation and rising commodity prices?
"Al Yamani" said that: The Health Minister in charge Adel Faqih adopted adding the previous proposal, and other proposals put forward by "purity" which are a comprehensive national study of the number of actual smokers, as the current numbers, which are estimated number of smokers with six million smokers in Saudi Arabia, including 600 thousand lady, are inaccurate, He also agreed to support the association in anti-smoking programs and full cooperation between the ministry and the association .
The newspaper "Mecca", citing the parties in connection with this matter, confirmed that: raise the value of health insurance policy on smokers, would limit the number of smokers in Saudi Arabia, which is estimated six million smokers, and would work in favor of insurance companies.
Saudi Health Insurance Council is considering raising the value of the health insurance policy on smokers after the adoption of the Minister of Health in charge of Adel Faqih, of a proposal in this regard made by the Saudi Society for the anti-smoking (purity) in a recent meeting.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of "purity" Association, Dr Mohammed Jaber Al-Yamani said that: it is unacceptable that the Ministry of Finance does not adopt the request to raise taxes on tobacco products, which rose to it by the Executive Board of the Health Ministers of the Gulf, until now.
"Al Yamani" said that : The cigarette pack price in the United States and European Union countries reached the equivalent of 40 riyals as a result of raising taxes, while a pack of cigarettes price in Saudi Arabia still 8 SR and the price increased only two riyals during the 20-year-old, which is a very low price globally, Even become one of the most highlight gifts that the pilgrims are keen to acquire when they left Saudi Arabia to present as a gift to their smoker friends.
He wondered why only cigarettes remained at this low price, despite of the current inflation and rising commodity prices?
"Al Yamani" said that: The Health Minister in charge Adel Faqih adopted adding the previous proposal, and other proposals put forward by "purity" which are a comprehensive national study of the number of actual smokers, as the current numbers, which are estimated number of smokers with six million smokers in Saudi Arabia, including 600 thousand lady, are inaccurate, He also agreed to support the association in anti-smoking programs and full cooperation between the ministry and the association .
The newspaper "Mecca", citing the parties in connection with this matter, confirmed that: raise the value of health insurance policy on smokers, would limit the number of smokers in Saudi Arabia, which is estimated six million smokers, and would work in favor of insurance companies.