In Bahrain, traditional smokeless tobacco products are banned by law. There is no available data on the prevalence of their use, but the country maintains a strict regulatory stance. Smokeless tobacco is regulated as a tobacco product. The sale, import for trade, and use of these products is illegal, and they are not marketed in the country. Bahrain has implemented a complete ban on all advertising of tobacco products, and advertising is strictly regulated under national tobacco control laws. In summary, smokeless tobacco is banned at all levels in Bahrain—including use, sale, import, and marketing—with strong legal measures in place to prevent its presence and spread within the country.
Product promotion
- GULG NEWS. Bahrain clamps down on tobacco use and advertising. Available at: https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-clamps-down-on-tobacco-use-and-advertising-1.64004. Accessed: 22 May 2025.
Regulation
- 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-bhr.pdf?sfvrsn=84ce55e7_3&download=true. 16 May 2025.
- GULG NEWS. Bahrain clamps down on tobacco use and advertising. Available at: https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-clamps-down-on-tobacco-use-and-advertising-1.64004. Accessed: 22 May 2025.
Availability
- 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-bhr.pdf?sfvrsn=84ce55e7_3&download=true. 16 May 2025.
- GULG NEWS. Bahrain clamps down on tobacco use and advertising. Available at: https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-clamps-down-on-tobacco-use-and-advertising-1.64004. Accessed: 22 May 2025.
Publications
Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Burning Issue for Asia
Harry Shapiro
The focus of this GSTHR briefing is Asia. Sixty per cent of the world’s smokers live in this region and almost half the global deaths from smoking occur here. Asia is also home to nine in every ten users of smokeless tobacco (SLT), leading to high rates of oral cancer. In a number of countries, public health is severely undermined where governments either control or have a significant stake in domestic tobacco companies. New solutions are needed to tackle the public health threat from smoking and tobacco use - but safer nicotine products are banned in many countries. Would tobacco harm reduction improve public health in Asia? And if so - what are the obstacles that stand in its way?
The formal launch event for the briefing took place online on Sunday 18 April 2021 and was co-hosted with Association of Vapers India.
