Saudi Arabia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on August 7, 2005.
Smoke Free Places: The law prohibits smoking in some indoor workplaces and public places including government, education, health, and cultural facilities and prohibits smoking in all means of public transport. Smoking is allowed in designated smoking rooms in bars, nightclubs, stadiums, casinos, and shops.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most advertising and promotion of tobacco. Although financial or other sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship of events is prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Smoked tobacco products must carry a combined text and picture warning that occupies no less than 65 percent of the front and back of the package. In addition, plain packaging is required as of January 1, 2020. Misleading packaging and labeling, which could include terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited.
Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Saudi Arabia are well below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
Yes
|
Private offices
Yes
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
Yes
|
Public transport
Yes
|
|
Universities
Yes
|
Restaurants
Uncertain
|
|
Governmental facilities
Yes
|
Bars and Pubs
No
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
Uncertain
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
Yes
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
Yes
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
|
Retail product display
Yes
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
Yes
|
|
Internet advertising
Yes
|
Publicity of sponsorships
Yes
|
|
Free distribution
Yes
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
3
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
65%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
65%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
65%
|
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
Yes
|
| TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE | |
|---|---|
| PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES | TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE) |
|
In country currency
28.00
SAR
|
Total taxes
74%
|
|
In US dollars
7.47
USD
|
Total excise
47%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021. Available at: www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/
Last updated: August 28, 2024