Saudi residents were revealed to have poor knowledge about smoking hazards and some of them believe there is no harm of passive smoking, according to a study conducted by the Gulf Kingdom’s Sharik Health Society.
About 40% of people polled in a survey that comprised over 5,200 persons said they are exposed to passive smoking at home and other places by being close to smokers.
The study found that about 30% are exposed to smoking in public places and 24% in work places while 18% smoke cigarettes or shisha at home in the same room where there are children.
Furthermore, the study found that the bulk of Saudis started smoking at 20 years of age, and some started when they were teenagers.
“The survey showed that Saudis tested for awareness of smoking hazards got as low as 1.5 points out of 10… nearly 27% do not believe in the hazards of passive smoking,” it said.
According to the study, nearly 24% of the Saudis are smokers, with 16% of them cigarette smokers, 8% shisha and 2% electronic cigarettes.
