Top Stories from Saudi Arabia
16.2% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 4.3 million current smokers in Saudi Arabia
26.3% of men are current smokers but only 1.9% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2025-04-24
Smoking in Saudi Arabia
There has been an upwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Saudi Arabia. In 2000 the overall prevalence was estimated to be around 15%; this increased to 16% by 2015, with a projection to increase to 17% by 2025. This increase in prevalence has been driven entirely by men's smoking, which increased from 23% to 26% between 2000 and 2015, and is projected to increase further to 28% by 2025 according to WHO trend data. By contrast, women's smoking during the same period has shown a decrease, from 4.2% in 2000 to 1.8% in 2015, and is projected to decrease to around 1% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.
14,238
Deaths
14238 people die every year due to tobacco smoking in Saudi Arabia.
2.2 million €
Market size of NRT.
Estimated NRT market size is 2.2 million €.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in Saudi Arabia
As of January 2025, e-cigarettes are allowed in Saudi Arabia and are regulated under specific guidelines. The import, sale, and online purchase of vaping devices and nicotine are legal, and vaping products are marketed. Advertising is regulated and e-cigarettes can be purchased without a prescription.
In terms of prevalence, the latest available data from 2019 indicate that there were approximately 202,300 vapers in Saudi Arabia. The adult vaping prevalence was 0.8%, with a prevalence of 0.4% among females. These data suggest the adoption of tobacco harm reduction strategies in Saudi Arabia.
Heated Tobacco Products
in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, 7.62% of youth reported having ever tried using Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) in a survey conducted in 2022. The country has a regulatory framework that allows HTPs and regulates them as tobacco products. Based on these regulations, it is legal to import the product for trade, which suggests that importing them for personal use may also be permitted, although this is not explicitly stated. It is allowed to sell, purchase, use, and market the product. However, there are some restrictions on these products that should be taken into consideration: Manufacturers are required to place health warnings on the packaging; flavours are not allowed; nicotine content must not exceed 6 mg per unit; and there are restrictions on their use in public places. The minimum age for sale is 18 years. Additionally, advertising in any form is banned, and health claims are not allowed. The external refilling tank must not hold more than 30 ml of e-liquid per package. HTPs are taxed similarly to tobacco products, with the excise tax set at 100% of the pre-tax price.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia you don't need a prescription to purchase NRT.
Snus
in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia maintains a favourable regulatory environment for snus. Under these regulations, the sale, purchase, and use of snus are legally allowed, with no restrictions on flavour ranges. However, certain regulations remain in place: manufacturers must include health warnings on packaging, and health claims are prohibited. The excise tax on snus is set at 50%, or the equivalent, of the tax rate applied to cigarettes.
Pouches
in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a favourable regulatory status for nicotine pouches, permitting their sale, purchase, and use. There are no restrictions on the range of flavours. However, some restrictions apply, including a requirement for health warnings on packaging and a ban on health claims. The excise tax on nicotine pouches is more than 50%—or its equivalent—of the tax levied on conventional cigarettes.
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.