Profile
Saudi Arabia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Saudi Arabia Background
Profile
Saudi Arabia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2025-06-26

As of 2019, Saudi Arabia had an estimated 606,900 users of traditional smokeless tobacco, making it one of the highest in the region. The adult prevalence was 2.4%, with significantly higher use among males (3.7%) compared to females (0.5%). Daily use was also notable, with 1.4% of adults using it every day—2.1% of males and 0.2% of females. Despite these usage rates, traditional smokeless tobacco is banned by law in Saudi Arabia. The sale of the product is illegal, reflecting the country's regulatory stance aimed at discouraging its use and protecting public health.

Prevalence

References:
  1. 1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-sau.pdf?sfvrsn=4f8d2cca_3&download=true. 16 May 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-sau.pdf?sfvrsn=4f8d2cca_3&download=true. 16 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2019; National, ages 15+ World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2019; National, ages 15+

Regulation

References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-sau.pdf?sfvrsn=4f8d2cca_3&download=true. 16 May 2025. 2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Saudi Arabia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/saudi-arabia/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 26 June 2025.

Availability

References:
  1. 1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-sau.pdf?sfvrsn=4f8d2cca_3&download=true. 16 May 2025. 2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Saudi Arabia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/saudi-arabia/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 26 June 2025.
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.