The Saudi Arabian health ministry says that tobacco companies need to pay the costs of treating patients for smoking-related illnesses or face a government lawsuit, the BBC reported.

"Representatives of tobacco companies have to pay both the patients and the health ministry for the costs of treatment," said Saudi health minister Hamad al-Manie. "Otherwise, the ministry will go ahead with the lawsuit."

Al-Manie did not say how much money the ministry is seeking, but did say that a compensation offer from the tobacco industry had been rejected previously.

At least 10 percent of Saudis smoke, and residents of the desert kingdom spend an estimated $1.3 billion annually on tobacco products.