By ARAB NEWS

Published: Jul 29, 2010 23:36 Updated: Jul 29, 2010 23:36

RIYADH: Sociologists and parents have criticized the “irresponsible attitude” of authorities allegedly failing to prevent grocery stores from selling cigarettes and tobacco to children.

They claimed that those who should be acting on the issue are in fact resorting to trading accusations with each other, while children have become the victims. The critics have urged the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) to intervene in the matter.

“The NSHR should put pressure on the concerned authorities to impose stringent punitive measures against those selling cigarettes to children,” one parent told Al-Riyadh daily.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reportedly said last week that it has nothing to do with preventing grocery stores in Riyadh from selling cigarettes and tobacco to children.

Replying to a demand by the Society Against Smoking (Naqaa), acting director general of the Commerce Ministry’s Department for Combating Commercial Fraud Fahd Al-Hodaili noted that it had not received any instructions to take action. He also advised the NSHR to approach the Ministry of Health instead.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Salman, senior consultant at the Social Consultancy Center, said that the sale of cigarettes to children was a major crime in the West and some Third World countries.

“However, in our country, it is an ordinary matter. Our children puff in public, and this is a clear violation of their rights,” he said.

Al-Salman urged authorities to enact laws preventing the sale of tobacco to all those under the age of 18.

“There are several countries which introduced legal measures to ban the sale of cigarettes to children. Why doesn’t the Kingdom follow suit?” he asked.

Ahmad Al-Jowhar, executive director of the Social Development Committee at Al-Suwaidi district in Riyadh, said the trend of selling cigarettes to children was a matter to be taken seriously.

“We have to guard our younger generation from becoming addicts. The authorities should enact stringent legal measures to prevent its sale and punish violators,” he said. ¬