Saudi authorities fined more than 140 violators of a smoking ban at the airport in the western Red Sea port of Jeddah just five days after the ban was enforced at all airports in the Gulf Kingdom, a local newspaper reported on Saturday.
On the first day of the ban on Sunday, 67 were caught smoking at the Jeddah international airport and fined SR200 each.
“Until Thursday, over 140 people were caught defying the smoking ban and made pay the fine,” Ajel online paper said.
Under the ban decision endorsed by the Saudi cabinet, airport staff members will have their security cards withdrawn if they are caught smoking. In case they repeat the offence, their cards will be revoked.