July 31, 2012 (Washington, DC) — Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz announced this week that Saudi Arabia will begin enforcing the royal decree banning smoking in public places effective immediately. Under the official order, smoking, including shisha (waterpipe), is banned in all government facilities and most commercial areas, including restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping malls. The order also prohibits the sale of tobacco to those under the age of 18.

“This ban represents a significant step in the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to decrease the smoking population in Saudi Arabia,” said Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir. “Saudi Arabia is committed to improving the overall health and well-being of its citizens, and continues to focus considerable efforts on health initiatives throughout the Kingdom.”

Saudi Arabia has launched several anti-smoking campaigns in recent years, including the elimination of all smoking in airports.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.