Kuwaret besieges tobacco and nicotine
- Ban on products of unknown origin and prohibition of the import, sale, and storage of non-compliant products.
- Ban on products that appeal to children through their design, brand name, and marketing.
- Registration and approval of products, along with disclosure of their ingredients and data, prior to import or circulation.
- Placement of health warnings on packaging covering 50 percent of the display area, and prohibition of promoting the product as safe.
- Treating electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products in the same manner as smoking.
Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi issued Ministerial Decision No. 237 of 2026 concerning the regulation of the trade of tobacco and nicotine products and nicotine delivery systems in the State of Kuwait, with the aim of enhancing public health protection and limiting the spread and accessibility of these products, particularly among children and youth. The decision prohibits the sale or display of products at 10 specific locations and outlets, in addition to banning their sale to persons under the age of 21.
The decision prohibits the import, manufacture, filling, distribution, trade, sale, storage, or advertising of products of unknown origin, non-compliant with approved specifications and requirements, or unlicensed by the Ministry of Health, as well as products that exceed the maximum limits for nicotine, ingredients, or emissions set by the competent authorities.
It also bans products whose design, brand name, presentation, or marketing is directed at children and youth or is likely to attract them, including the use of illustrations, cartoon characters, images of toys, or packaging resembling sweets and beverages intended for children.
The decision mandates the registration and approval of products with the relevant sectors of the Ministry of Health prior to their import, trade, or sale, with full disclosure of ingredients, nicotine concentration, additives, country of origin, batch number, and production and expiration dates.
It also requires the placement of textual and pictorial health warnings covering no less than 50 percent of the primary display area of the package, and prohibits any health or therapeutic claims, or promoting the product as safe or as an aid to quitting smoking without explicit approval from the Ministry.
The decision prohibits the sale, delivery, or facilitation of access to tobacco, nicotine, or nicotine delivery systems for persons under the age of 21. Sellers are required to verify the buyer’s age using a civil ID or an approved method, and sales outlets are mandated to display a clear sign in Arabic and English stating that sales to persons under 21 are prohibited.
Furthermore, the decision bans advertising, promotion, or direct or indirect marketing of tobacco and nicotine products, including through media, websites, social media platforms, influencers, content creators, billboards, exhibitions, and events.
The decision establishes that electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and any devices or products that produce smoke, vapor, mist, or similar emissions when used, shall be treated as smoking in all public and enclosed places where smoking is prohibited under applicable laws and regulations.
The decision stipulates that the Ministry of Health, in coordination with relevant authorities, shall oversee supervision, inspection, and enforcement of violations, prevent the entry or trade of non-compliant products, and withdraw and remove them, while taking measures to block or remove non-compliant electronic content and advertisements as needed.
