Saudi Arabia has implemented a ban on tobacco shops operating within 500 meters of mosques and schools, according to new guidelines from the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
The measures aim to safeguard public health, ensure legal compliance, and maintain orderly business environments in urban areas.
The regulations affect all stores selling tobacco products, including cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes. Shop owners must possess valid commercial registration, Civil Defense approval, and full compliance with municipal licensing laws.
Stores must occupy at least 36 square meters within commercial buildings, with additional local municipality conditions possible.
Exterior signage cannot display logos or promotional materials - only the store name. Operations require security cameras indoors and outdoors, adherence to hygiene standards, electronic payment options, and prohibited sidewalk use.
All tobacco products must meet Saudi Food and Drug Authority standards, feature clear warning labels, and be sold in sealed packages. Vending machines, price reductions, gifts, and product testing are forbidden.
One of Iraq's leading Arabic-language newspapers, “Azzaman”, has published an article entitled “Uzbekistan on the 35th Anniversary of Independence: From State-Building to the Third Renaissance”, reports Dunyo IA .
Article highlights Uzbekistan's development path over the years of independence, the large-scale reforms implemented across the country, and the republic's growing standing on the international stage.
It notes that the country's independence in 1991 marked a historic turning point in the life of the Uzbek people, laying the foundations for national statehood, establishing the basis for economic development and ensuring social stability.
Particular attention is paid to the large-scale transformations carried out since 2016 under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev within the framework of the New Uzbekistan concept. The article emphasizes that these reforms have earned the country recognition as a state pursuing consistent and balanced development in Central Asia.
Publication also highlights reforms in the social sphere, including improvements to the social protection system, enhanced quality of education and healthcare, as well as initiatives aimed at expanding the participation of young people and women in public life.
Article places particular emphasis on the concept of the Third Renaissance put forward by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, describing it as one of the country's key strategic development priorities. It notes that the homeland of such eminent scholars as Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, Abu Ali Ibn Sina, Imam al-Bukhari and Imam al-Tirmidhi is today striving to usher in a new era of the Third Renaissance by advancing science, innovation, technology and human capital.
Publication also highlights Uzbekistan's open, pragmatic and balanced foreign policy, its commitment to the principles of good-neighborliness, and its efforts to strengthen cooperation with international and regional organizations. Particular emphasis is placed on the country's role in promoting peace, stability and regional cooperation in Central Asia.
In conclusion, article emphasizes that Uzbekistan's 35 years of independent development demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the path of renewal, constructive development and sustainable progress. It notes that, by harmoniously combining its rich historical and cultural heritage with modern development principles, the country is laying a solid foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future for coming generations.