JEDDAH: The Saudi government will from Sunday start implementing a selective tax that includes products that are harmful to health, primarily tobacco, energy drinks and sodas.
Recent statistics show that 6 million smokers in Saudi Arabia will be affected by the tax, Al-Hayat newspaper reported.
Implementation is part of a selective tax agreement the Kingdom signed along with the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, which was approved by the GCC secretariat last month.
The tax rate is defined according to the danger a product poses to health, with a 100 percent rate being imposed on the most harmful: Tobacco and energy drinks. A 50 percent rate will be imposed on all kinds of soft drinks.
The Kingdom is 64th out of 127 countries in the price ranking of a pack of cigarettes, according to Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported consumer prices. The price of a pack of cigarettes in Saudi Arabia will double from June 11.
Price of cigarettes to double from Sunday
Price of cigarettes to double from Sunday
Saudi crown prince, President Trump discuss regional tensions in phone call
- Two leaders stressed the importance of restraint and de-escalation, and underlined the need to resolve disputes through diplomatic means
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with US President Donald Trump to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, including the ongoing Israeli military operations against Iran, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call on Friday, the two leaders stressed the importance of restraint and de-escalation, and underlined the need to resolve disputes through diplomatic means, SPA added.
They also affirmed the importance of continued joint efforts to promote security, peace, and stability across the region.
Makkah’s Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition unveils 1,400 years of sacred architecture
- Immersive experience showcases history, transformation of Islam’s most sacred sites
- Exhibition fuses traditional and contemporary Islamic design, with rare artifacts, architectural models on display
MAKKAH: Visitors to Makkah are being offered an unprecedented journey through Islamic architectural history, showcasing the remarkable evolution of the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque across 14 centuries of development.
The Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition, housed in a renovated 1,200 sq. meter facility in the Um Al-Joud neighborhood, is presenting rare artifacts and architectural models that document the transformation of Islam’s most sacred sites.
The exhibition building itself exemplifies the fusion of traditional and contemporary Islamic design, with architectural elements deliberately echoing the Grand Mosque’s distinctive style.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, this design philosophy creates an immersive environment in which visitors experience visual and cultural connections to the sacred spaces.
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The exhibition building exemplifies the fusion of traditional and contemporary Islamic design, with architectural elements deliberately echoing the Grand Mosque’s distinctive style.
Following comprehensive upgrades, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched the exhibition’s trial operations phase. The modernization included complete technical infrastructure overhauls, contemporary presentation methods for historical artifacts, and sophisticated lighting systems that illuminate intricate details while enhancing the visitor experience.
The exhibition’s renewed mission extends beyond simple display, aiming to transmit the Two Holy Mosques’ heritage to both Islamic communities and global audiences, the SPA said.
Through interactive experiences and educational programming, the facility seeks to broaden understanding of Islamic architectural principles, while connecting contemporary visitors with their civilizational roots.
Those interested in visiting can schedule appointments through the official booking portal at https://visits.alharamain.gov.sa/
Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques launches Umrah season programs
- The presidency will enhance the devotional atmosphere via religious and scholarly initiatives and programs throughout the season
MAKKAH: The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques is preparing to enhance its program for the upcoming Umrah season through an initiative aimed at welcoming pilgrims, worshippers and visitors, and raising awareness about rituals.
The presidency explained that the centers for responding to religious inquiries have been enhanced through both on-site locations and telephone services. These are distributed across 10 sites inside and outside the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in addition to four dedicated offices for phone-based inquiries.
A total of 62 participating scholars, including judges and university faculty members, are available around the clock to respond to inquiries.
The presidency will enhance the devotional atmosphere via religious and scholarly initiatives and programs throughout the season. The plan also seeks to recruit volunteers to serve in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Saudi Arabia re-elected to IGC administrative committee
- Saudi General Food Security Authority Chairman Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Fares said that Saudi Arabia’s renewed committee membership confirmed its expanding role in international forums
RIYADH: The International Grain Council re-elected Saudi Arabia as a member of the administrative committee for the 2025-2026 session during its 62nd meeting in London on Thursday, retaining the Kingdom among 16 elected members chosen from 30 countries.
Saudi General Food Security Authority Chairman Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Fares said that Saudi Arabia’s renewed committee membership confirmed its expanding role in international forums and its significant economic influence on both international and regional stages.
Since joining the board on Sept. 1, 2010, the Kingdom has actively contributed to board decisions that enhance global grain market stability.
Tabuk Municipality intensifies inspection campaigns
- Al-Atwi said that the most prominent violations included the absence of health certificates for workers
TABUK: Tabuk Municipality has launched intensified inspection campaigns aimed at monitoring the compliance of food and commercial establishments with municipal requirements.
Owaid Al-Atwi, deputy mayor for licensing and compliance, said that 1,253 field visits were conducted as part of the campaign, resulting in 184 establishments being issued warnings, and seven others being shut down due to more serious violations.
In addition, 46 kilograms of spoiled raw materials and 54 kilograms of rotten meat were confiscated.
Al-Atwi said that the most prominent violations included the absence of health certificates for workers. He emphasized that these efforts are made to ensure the provision of safe and healthy food services and to enhance establishments’ adherence to approved health standards.
