The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing (MOMRA) prohibits the sale of tobacco products to those under 18 years old.
The ministry has established terms and conditions for shops selling tobacco products, and these were displayed on the 'Istitlaa' platform of the National Competitiveness Center, seeking public opinions and suggestions.
In addition to regulating shops licensed to sell tobacco products, such as shisha shops, ordinary and electronic cigarettes, their derivatives and accessories, these rules ensure products' safety and quality.
To sell tobacco products, one must obtain a municipal license in accordance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its executive regulations.
Similarly, anyone under 18 is not allowed to enter a tobacco store or purchase tobacco products. It is the seller's right to request proof of the buyer's age. Shops are not allowed to operate after 12 a.m. unless they obtain a work permit for 24-hour operation. During Ramadan and holidays, this condition does not apply.
As part of the terms and conditions, shops are required to sell cigarettes in closed packets with a maximum of 20 cigarettes per packet. Tobacco products cannot be sold by pill, and kilo or part kilo retail sales are prohibited.
Tobacco or any of its derivatives cannot be discounted or displayed among free promotional offers such as gifts, prizes or samples for any purpose.
Additionally, all forms of public transportation, such as vehicles, buses, trains, ships, boats, and planes, are prohibited from selling or displaying products containing raw or manufactured tobacco.
Tobacco and its derivatives were prohibited from being imported, sold or presented in any form with direct or indirect advertising. The use of tobacco residues resulting from smoking or tobacco on which operations were performed that deteriorate its quality or characteristics during smoking is also prohibited. In accordance with the regulations, no names, symbols, signs, or images may be used on tobacco products that violate public order.
Tobacco shop workers are required to wear clean uniforms with the name of the shop embroidered on them. Any employee infected with a disease must stop working and not return to work until the disease is fully recovered.
According to the regulations, tobacco products and goods cannot be displayed on the floor or frontage of the store or on wooden or plastic pallets, but must be displayed on shelves and metal and rust-resistant drawers. A warning sign explaining the dangers of tobacco products should be displayed inside the store, according to the ministry's regulations.
