The country's health ministry has already directed insurance companies to categorise between smokers and nonsmokers, and impose an additional premium for smokers since they fall in a high-risk class.

A series of measures will be undertaken by his ministry to discourage smoking, Saudi health minister Hamad Al-Manie told Arab News, "We have instructed the purchasing, supplies and maintenance departments in the ministry not to accept quotations for the supply of products and services from such companies."

Under the new rule, companies engaged in selling tobacco or cigarettes, and individuals who are board members of such companies will be prohibited from registering as contractors with the ministry of health.

"The companies will not be given medical licenses to operate as the ministry's contractors," the minister said.

"According to the minister's directives, we are working out a set of new rules to combat smoking in the Kingdom," Ibrahim S Al-Musaidteer, DG, Legal, Ministry of Health said.

The minister said he would take the new initiative to the GCC Health Ministers Council for implementation in other GCC member countries also.