RIYADH, 29 November 2006 — Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manie said here yesterday that the country intends to sue American and European tobacco companies that sell their products in the Kingdom, for the deaths and diseases caused by smoking.The minister, who inaugurated the 12th Gulf Symposium Against Smoking in Riyadh attended by delegates from the Gulf region and the World Health Organization, said that there have been attempts to settle disputes out of court. “I have met with representatives from tobacco companies in the Kingdom at my office before,” said Al-Manie. “And I informed them of the ministry’s plan to file a lawsuit against their companies.”
The minister said he was pressing ahead with the lawsuit unless the tobacco companies paid the full amount of compensation. The minister did not divulge how much the Kingdom is asking for in settlement. “I will not, and neither will the ministry, forsake the rights of patients,” he said.
"We're very big on right$ here in the Magik Kingdom, y'know."