Khaberni -The Saudi Ministry of Municipalities has banned the sale of tobacco products in kiosks and groceries, as part of an update to the requisites for groceries, supplies, and central markets, in its efforts to develop the business environment and raise the food safety standards to protect consumers.
According to the conditions published last Monday, these products are defined as “all manufactured and packaged tobacco products licensed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority including regular and electronic cigarettes, hookah products, and similar,” with their sale prohibited in groceries, which are “licensed establishments engaged in selling packaged food substances, body care tools, cleaners, disinfectants and their tools, as well as plastic and paper products, provided that the establishment area is no less than 24 square meters,” and a “kiosk” is a “stand-alone small establishment which may be wall-less with a special design consistent with the urban identity of the city where grocery activities are carried out.”
The ministry emphasized the need for tobacco products to match the standard specifications, be 100% unvisible to the attendees of the establishment, must be placed inside closed drawers, and their sale is prohibited to those under the age of 18 or as determined by the smoking control regulations, with the seller having the right to request proof of age from buyers.
The conditions also affirmed the necessity of placing a clearly visible warning sign above the cashier unit that includes images reflecting the harms and the phrases “Smoking and tobacco products are a primary cause of diseases and cancer of the mouth, lung, heart, and arteries,” and “Selling tobacco products to those younger than the age designated in the smoking control regulations is banned.”
They also included banning the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products, and smoking within the establishment by employees or patrons, stressing the importance of placing signs that read “No Smoking.”
According to the decision by Majid Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipalities and Housing, with approval of the conditions, existing establishments are given a grace period of 180 days starting from their publication date on July 14, 2025, and the location requirements specified within the spatial requirements do not apply to the existing commercial licenses - if they differ from what was previously licensed - until the expiration of the license duration.
