Saudis are Smokers, Tobacco Control

More than a fifth of Saudi Arabia’s population are smokers, spending around SR11 billion (Dh10.8 billion) on cigarettes a year, newspapers said on Thursday. Most of the estimated six million smokers in the largest Arab economy and world’s top oil exporter are aged between 17 and 40 years, the papers said, quoting well known psychologist Ali Zaeri as saying in a study. The largest number of smokers in the Gulf Kingdom is based in the western Red Sea port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second largest city after the capital Riyadh, he said.

Cigarette Maker in Wismilak, Tobacco Markets

Surabaya cigarette maker Wismilak Inti Makmur plans to sell 30 percent of its stake in an initial public offering later this year, in an effort to capitalize on the increasing appetite among investors in the local equities market. The company, whose brands include Wismilak and Galan, has selected Mandiri Sekuritas and OSK Nusadana Securities to help arrange the IPO. The company did not provide other terms such as total estimated funds to be raised from the IPO. Wismilak will join Gudang Garam — the country’s largest clove cigarette maker — as well as Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna and Bentoel International as tobacco companies on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX). Wismilak, founded in 1962 as Gelora Djaja and adopted its current name in 1994.

Passive Smoking and Memory Lose

We all know cigarettes are bad for our health, but researchers now claim that non-smokers who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk of damaging their memory. The researchers compared a group of current smokers with two groups of non-smokers - those regularly exposed to second-hand smoke and those who were not. They found that non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke forgot almost 20 per cent more than the non-smokers who were not exposed.

Tobacco Sales in Malawi Kwacha

Malawi Kwacha is still struggling on the market though tobacco sales which are a major source of the country’s forex have just been closed. According to the National Bank of Malawi’s Economic Newsletter released in September, the country is still struggling to match with other foreign currencies. An Economist working at the National Bank of Malawi, Shadreck Malenga, has revealed that the Malawi Kwacha will continue to suffer on the world market for some time before it becomes stable. He said this is so because of other external factors which are affecting the country. Marlboro cigarettes.

Menthol Flavour in Cigarettes Banned, Australia News

South Australia is moving to ban displays for a new type of menthol cigarette, fearing they appeal to young smokers. The new cigarettes have a small capsule in the filter which bursts when squeezed, releasing a menthol flavour. Three brands using the idea have recently been released in South Australia. 'This new product has a futuristic, modern design and packaging and is being targeted at the youth market,' Health Minister John Hill said.

Graphic Smoking Warnings Approved in Russia

The Healthcare Ministry of the Russian Federation approved 12 graphic images about the dangers of smoking to be placed on tobacco packaging. It was said that cigarette packs would display appalling pictures with the words "Emphysema", "Cancer", "Periodontal Disease", "Misery," "Self-destruction", "Amputation", "Aging", "Stillbirth", "Prematurity", "Dependence," "Danger," "Impotence," RBC reports.