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
- 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/
- 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.
- 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/
- Adults survey: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2019; National, ages 15+
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-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
- 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.
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.
