Shiekh Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Faiz, the judge at the Public Court in Riyadh, has defined September 11 as an appointment for the first sitting of the trial regarding the claim raised by the Ministry of Health against cigarette companies. The Ministry of Health demanded in its claim the cigarette companies to pay an amount of SR10 billion Saudi Riyals, in addition to an annual amount of SR500 million Riyals, as a compensation for the costs it has incurred in the treatment and health care providision to cigarette addicts during the past years.
This is the first action of its type to be taken by the Ministry of Health against cigarette companies. It comes in the midst of an utmost concern and follow up on the part of the MOH officials headed by the Minister of Health.
Mr. Ibrahim Al-Musaitir, the MOH Legal Affairs General Manager, said MOH shall seek the cooperation of all concerned specialists and experts in this regard.