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29 March 2024

Which Gulf state tops list of heavy smokers?

Yemen tops list of smokers in Arab and Gulf region. (KHAMEIS AL HEFAITY)

Published
By Muna Ahmed

Yemen topped the list of smokers not only in the Gulf, but also in the Arab World with average age group of smokers in this country being as young as six years.

According to recent report published by the Executive Office of the Gulf Health Ministries, Yemen topped the list of smokers in Arab and Gulf region, while Saudi Arabia was the second high on the list.

Dr Tawfeq Ahmed, Director-General of Executive Office of the Gulf Health Ministries, said according to statistics and reports, Kuwait was ranked third highest tobacco consumer, followed by the UAE, then Oman and finally Qatar with the lowest tobacco consumption rate.

“The consumption rate of tobacco in Saudi Arabia is between 17.5 per cent and 20 per cent. It is followed by Kuwait which consumes 17.5 per cent, then the UAE with 12.3 per cent of consumption and then Oman and Qatar.

He said smoking in the Arab World is mainly among teenagers who are aged between 13 and 15 years.

“According to a recent study, the average age group of smokers in the Gulf is 13.8 years. In Qatar, 15 years, Bahrain 12 years, Saudi Arabia 11 years, and in Yemen the average age group is as low as six years,” he said.