In Iran, traditional smokeless tobacco products are banned, and their prevalence of use is not officially known. Despite strict regulations, various types of smokeless tobacco—including Pan, Gutka, Nass, Naswar, Biti, and Supari—are known to be available in the country, often through illicit or informal channels.
The sale, purchase, and use of these products is illegal. It is also not permitted to import smokeless tobacco, either for personal use or trade, and online sales are banned. The products are not marketed legally, and they are not regulated as consumer goods, but they are classified and controlled under tobacco product regulations. Iran has a ban on all tobacco advertising, and advertising is strictly regulated across media platforms. However, despite these controls, the presence of multiple smokeless tobacco products in informal markets highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcement.
In summary, while smokeless tobacco is banned and tightly regulated in Iran, products like Pan, Gutka, Nass, Naswar, Biti, and Supari are still available, particularly through illegal and unregulated channels.
Product promotion
- 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-irn.pdf?sfvrsn=6f415541_3&download=true. 16 May 2025.
Regulation
- 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-irn.pdf?sfvrsn=6f415541_3&download=true. 16 May 2025. 2. Solhi M, Fattahi E, Barati H, Mohammadi M, Kasmaei P, Rastaghi S. Smokeless tobacco use in Iran: a systematic review. Addiction & Health. 2020 Jul;12(3):225.
- Global Tobacco Control. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND TOBACCO PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/sites/default/files/2021-12/Iran%20-%20Specific%20Regulations%20of%20Tobacco%20Products%20and%20Tobacco%20Promotional%20Items%202019.pdf. Accessed: 21 May 2025.
- Solhi M, Fattahi E, Barati H, Mohammadi M, Kasmaei P, Rastaghi S. Smokeless tobacco use in Iran: a systematic review. Addiction & Health. 2020 Jul;12(3):225.
- Despite the ban, smokeless tobacco products like Pan, Gutka, Nass, Naswar, Biti, and Supari are still unofficially available in the country.
- Consumers obtain and use them through illicit/informal channels in some provinces.
Availability
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | No | 1A |
| 2023 | No | 1A A |
- Global Tobacco Control. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND TOBACCO PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/sites/default/files/2021-12/Iran%20-%20Specific%20Regulations%20of%20Tobacco%20Products%20and%20Tobacco%20Promotional%20Items%202019.pdf. Accessed: 21 May 2025.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Informal vendors and channels. | 1A |
| 2023 | None | 1A A |
- Solhi M, Fattahi E, Barati H, Mohammadi M, Kasmaei P, Rastaghi S. Smokeless tobacco use in Iran: a systematic review. Addiction & Health. 2020 Jul;12(3):225.
- Global Tobacco Control. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND TOBACCO PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. Available at: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/sites/default/files/2021-12/Iran%20-%20Specific%20Regulations%20of%20Tobacco%20Products%20and%20Tobacco%20Promotional%20Items%202019.pdf. Accessed: 21 May 2025.
- Global Tobacco Control. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND TOBACCO PROMOTIONAL ITEMS. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/sites/default/files/2021-12/Iran%20-%20Specific%20Regulations%20of%20Tobacco%20Products%20and%20Tobacco%20Promotional%20Items%202019.pdf. Accessed: 21 May 2025.
- 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-irn.pdf?sfvrsn=6f415541_3&download=true. 16 May 2025.
- Solhi M, Fattahi E, Barati H, Mohammadi M, Kasmaei P, Rastaghi S. Smokeless tobacco use in Iran: a systematic review. Addiction & Health. 2020 Jul;12(3):225.
- This is not addressed in the document.
- These products are available and people use them.