Article 14 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
المادة 14 من نظام مكافحة التدخين
The article punishes anyone who smokes in the places where Article 7 prohibits smoking with a fine of SAR 200.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يعاقب كل من يتعاطى التدخين مخالفاً أحكام المادة (السابعة) من هذا النظام بغرامة مالية مقدارها (200) مائتا ريال.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 14 explained in plain English
This article is the direct penalty on the smoker. Anyone who smokes in one of the places prohibited by Article 7 is punished with a fine of SAR 200.
The places where Article 7 prohibits smoking include:
- The places and courtyards surrounding mosques.
- Government and public bodies and their branches.
- Educational, health, sports, cultural, social and charitable institutions.
- Workplaces in companies, establishments, factories, banks and the like.
- Public transport, as specified by the regulations.
- Places where food and beverages are manufactured, and petroleum sites and fuel and gas stations.
- Warehouses, elevators and restrooms, and other public places.
Two things should be remembered. First, smoking here is in the broad sense in Article 2, so it covers shisha, mu'assel, chewing and more. Second, Article 7 allows, in the public places covered by its paragraph 9, smoking areas on conditions: they must be isolated and kept to the narrowest limits, and not entered by anyone under 18 years of age, in line with criteria set by the Implementing Regulations.
Note that this fine is on the smoker personally, whereas Article 15 punishes other violations for which no specific provision exists with a fine not exceeding SAR 5,000, doubled in case of repeat offense, and Article 13 punishes growing or manufacturing tobacco with a fine of SAR 20,000. Anyone who has been fined and wishes to object can consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Practical example
Saad lit a cigarette inside a restroom in a hospital in Dammam. A hospital is a health institution and restrooms are among the places where Article 7 prohibits smoking, so he is punished with a fine of SAR 200.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
What is the fine for smoking in prohibited places in Saudi Arabia?
A fine of SAR 200 for anyone who smokes in violation of Article 7.
Does the smoking fine cover shisha?
Yes. Smoking under the definition in Article 2 covers using tobacco through shisha and other methods.
Does the SAR 200 fine cover all violations of the smoking law?
No. This fine is specific to smoking in violation of Article 7. Other violations with no specific penalty carry a fine not exceeding SAR 5,000 under Article 15.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Smoking Violations and Fines
- Article 12
The article makes government bodies, educational, health, sports, cultural, social and charitable institutions, and private-sector establishments responsible for catching and recording violations of the law and imposing fines.
تتولى الوزارات والمصالح الحكومية والمؤسسات والهيئات العامة وفروعها، والجهات العامة الأخرى في الدولة، والمؤسسات التعليمية والصحية والرياضية والثقافية والاجتماعية
- Article 13
The article punishes anyone who violates the ban on growing or manufacturing tobacco in Article 3 with a fine of SAR 20,000 and removal of the violation at their expense.
يعاقب كل مخالف لأحكام المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام بغرامة مالية مقدارها (20.000) عشرون ألف ريال مع إزالة المخالفة على حسابه.
- Article 15
The article punishes any violation of the law for which no specific penalty is provided with a fine not exceeding SAR 5,000, doubled in case of repeat offense.
فيما لم يرد في شأنه نص خاص بالعقوبة، يعاقب كل من يرتكب أي مخالفة لأي حكم من أحكام هذا النظام بغرامة لا تتجاوز (5000) خمسة آلاف ريال، وتضاعف العقوبة في حالة العَ
- Article 16
The article allows anyone penalized under the Anti-Smoking Law to file a grievance before the competent authority within the prescribed statutory period.
يجوز لمن صدرت ضده عقوبة من العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، التظلم أمام الجهة المختصة، خلال المدة النظامية المقررة.
- Article 17
The article provides that the penalties in the Anti-Smoking Law do not prevent applying any more severe penalty set by another law.
لا تخل العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام بأي عقوبة أشد ينص عليها نظام آخر .
- Article 18
The article allocates all fines collected under the Anti-Smoking Law to support awareness and encourage civil associations to combat smoking, through a bank account spent according to the Minister of Health's instructions.
تخصص جميع الغرامات المحصلة بموجب أحكام هذا النظام لدعم جهود التوعية وتشجيع الجمعيات الأهلية على مكافحة التدخين ونشرها على مستوى المملكة. وينشأ لهذا الغرض حساب ب
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.