Saudi Arabia has imposed a ban on operating tobacco shops within 500 meters of mosques and schools, following the approval of regulatory measures by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The new rules aim to promote public health, ensure regulatory compliance, and create a safe, orderly commercial environment across the Kingdom.

A tobacco shop in Saudi Arabia, now prohibited within 500 meters of mosques and schools.

Scope and Licensing Requirements

The regulations apply to all stores selling tobacco products and accessories, including cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes. To obtain a license, stores must have a valid commercial registration, Civil Defense approval, and comply fully with the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its executive regulations.

Operational and Signage Rules

Shops must adhere to specific operational and signage rules:

• Prohibition of logos or promotional materials on external signs; only the store name is allowed.

• Ban on the use of public sidewalks outside the store.

• Mandatory installation of internal and external surveillance cameras.

• Maintenance of public hygiene and safe waste disposal practices.

• Provision of electronic payment methods.

Product Handling and Sales Regulations

Shops must comply with strict product handling and sales regulations:

• No mixing or repackaging of products.

• Provision of proof of supplier for all items.

• Prohibition of sales to individuals under 18, with age verification required.

• Display of warning signs about smoking risks and QR codes linking to licensing and regulatory information.

• Ban on promotion, free samples, or sale of single cigarettes.

• Only products meeting Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) standards may be sold.

Monitoring and Enforcement

Municipal authorities will monitor compliance and impose penalties for violations. The regulations are designed to strengthen oversight, improve operational efficiency, and ensure adherence to approved standards, contributing to a safer and more organized urban environment.

Packaging and Display Rules

All tobacco products and derivatives must comply with SFDA standards, with clear warning labels and explanatory information. Additional rules include:

• Cigarettes must be sold in sealed packages; single-unit sales are prohibited.

• Vending machine sales of tobacco or derivatives are banned.

• Price reductions, gifts, or promotional offers of tobacco products are prohibited.

• Products must be free of manufacturing defects and clearly labeled for consumers.

• E-cigarette liquids must be sealed; refilling with tobacco is prohibited.

• Pricing must be clearly displayed, and consumer testing of products is not allowed.