Saudi Arabia

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.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents of cigarettes, including restricting the use of certain herbs, spices, and other flavorings. The law requires that manufacturers disclose to government authorities information on the contents of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of smokeless tobacco products, single cigarettes, and small packs of cigarettes. In addition, the law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines and on means of public transport. There are no restrictions on the internet sale of tobacco products. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited where smoking is prohibited. There are no restrictions on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes. Text-only health warnings are required on the front and back sides of the packaging. The nicotine content of e-cigarettes and refill containers must not exceed 20 mg/ml. The law bans specific ingredients, including but not limited to certain flavors, vitamins and other ingredients that create the impression of health benefits, caffeine, additives having coloring properties, and additives that contribute to toxicity.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Royal Decree No. 56, Anti-Smoking Law is the primary legislation governing smoke free places; advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and packaging and labeling. The regulation titled the Circular to Municipalities on Controls on Marketing and Promotion of Tobacco Products was issued in order to explicitly prohibit tobacco advertising at the point of sale. The Executive Regulations were issued in 2017 under the Anti-Smoking Law and contain detailed requirements governing smoke free places; advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and packaging and labeling. Decision of the Minister of Health No. 1853515 contains the amended Executive Regulation of the Tobacco Control Law.

In 2018, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) issued SFDA.FD 60:2018 – the Standard on Plain Packaging of Tobacco Products, which requires the plain packaging of cigarettes, cigars, hand rolling tobacco, and tobacco molasses (waterpipe tobacco) as of January 1, 2020. SFDA.FD 60:2018 also requires larger combined health warnings. 

E-cigarettes are regulated by Saudi Food & Drug Authority Controls and Requirements for Electronic Smoking Devices (2019), Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Technical Regulations for Electronic Smoking Devices (2020), and Saudi Food & Drug Authority Technical Regulation on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (SFDA.FD 5005:2020).

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts reviewed our analysis.