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 | 1B 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.
- 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.
- Despite the ban, smokeless tobacco products like Pan, Gutka, Nass, Naswar, Biti, and Supari are still unofficially available in the country.
| Year | Value | Reference/Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Informal vendors and channels. | 1A |
| 2023 | None | 1B 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.
- 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.
- Despite the ban, smokeless tobacco products like Pan, Gutka, Nass, Naswar, Biti, and Supari are still unofficially available in the country.
- 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.
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.
