Article 16 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
المادة 16 من نظام مكافحة التدخين
The article allows anyone penalized under the Anti-Smoking Law to file a grievance before the competent authority within the prescribed statutory period.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لمن صدرت ضده عقوبة من العقوبات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام، التظلم أمام الجهة المختصة، خلال المدة النظامية المقررة.
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 16 explained in plain English
This article preserves the right of the penalized person to object. It allows anyone against whom a penalty provided for in the law has been issued to file a grievance. The elements of this right are:
- Who has it: anyone against whom a penalty has been issued under the law, whether an individual or an establishment.
- Penalties covered: all penalties of the law, including the general fine not exceeding SAR 5,000 in Article 15, which is doubled in case of repeat offense.
- Where to file: before the competent authority.
- When: within the prescribed statutory period.
What matters for the reader is that the article does not name the competent authority or set the period for the grievance, but refers to "the prescribed statutory period." Therefore, anyone who wants to file a grievance must verify the authority and the period before the period runs out.
This article is followed by Article 17, which provides that the penalties in the law do not affect any more severe penalty set by another law; the grievance provided for here concerns the penalties of this law. Anyone who wants to challenge a fine would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases to learn the competent authority and the period that applies in their case.
Practical example
Sara was fined under the Anti-Smoking Law, and she believes she did not commit the violation. Under this article she may file a grievance before the competent authority within the prescribed statutory period.
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 16 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
Can a smoking fine be challenged?
Yes. Anyone against whom a penalty under the law has been issued may file a grievance before the competent authority.
What is the period for a grievance against a smoking fine?
The article does not set the period but refers to the prescribed statutory period, which should be verified before it runs out.
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 14
The article punishes anyone who smokes in the places where Article 7 prohibits smoking with a fine of SAR 200.
يعاقب كل من يتعاطى التدخين مخالفاً أحكام المادة (السابعة) من هذا النظام بغرامة مالية مقدارها (200) مائتا ريال.
- 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 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.