The Ministry of Interior said in a statement on its Instagram account that a campaign by the Environmental Police Department had yielded 30 citations for smoking violations against individuals in Al-Mubarakiya Market. One citation was issued for throwing waste in an undesignated area and another was handed to a business for permitting smoking inside its premises according to the ministry. All violators faced legal action as part of the effort the statement indicated.
According to the Ministry of Interior the inspection tour focused on curbing smoking in enclosed and semi-enclosed spaces as well as preventing improper waste disposal in the traditional market area. The operation was executed by personnel from the Security Directorates Affairs Sector. Such initiatives form part of the ministry’s continuous work to apply relevant regulations.
The Ministry of Interior detailed that fines for smoking in prohibited public places range from 50 to 100 dinars per violation. Establishments that allow customers to smoke on the premises can be penalized with amounts from 1,000 up to 5,000 dinars while littering offenses carry penalties between 50 and 500 dinars. These amounts are stipulated under the Environmental Protection Law the ministry noted.
In its announcement the ministry described the campaign as contributing to ongoing endeavors aimed at enforcing the Environmental Protection Law while limiting unlawful conduct to preserve public hygiene and an orderly urban image. The drive specifically sought to address behaviors that conflict with established environmental standards in busy commercial zones like Al-Mubarakiya.
Data published by the Tobacco Atlas indicate that tobacco use leads to 1,387 deaths each year in Kuwait and generates an annual cost-of-illness totaling 377 million dinars. The same source places adult smoking prevalence at 10.8 percent equating to roughly 763,000 smokers aged 15 and above in the country. Youth smoking rates have also drawn attention in national health assessments.
The Environmental Protection Law of 2014 amended in 2015 prohibits smoking in most public indoor settings with limited exceptions for designated zones according to the executive regulations. Previous enforcement actions in malls and other venues have similarly relied on environmental police to issue immediate citations for breaches. The Ministry of Interior has encouraged full compliance to prevent both health risks and financial penalties for residents and businesses alike.
