Your cigarette killed you... whether classic or electronic!

Ministry of Health issues a decree regulating the trade of tobacco products

Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti: Stricter oversight on tobacco and its products starting January 1, 2027... from physical outlets to digital platforms

Dr. Abeer Al-Bahou: A recent study confirmed that three-quarters of e-cigarette users are aware of their risks

Dr. Khalid Al-Saleh: Setting the age limit for purchasing tobacco at 21 is a crucial health and preventive measure to protect youth

Smoking is no longer merely an individual habit whose effects are confined to the smoker and their health; it has evolved into one of the world’s most significant health challenges, amid the continued proliferation of tobacco products and the development of their forms and marketing methods. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.2 billion people use tobacco worldwide, while tobacco claims the lives of more than 7 million people annually, including over 1.6 million non-smokers due to exposure to secondhand smoke.

Local News

Politics

The danger of this phenomenon increases when it comes to children and adolescents, as nicotine is a highly addictive and impactful substance, particularly on developing brains. WHO data indicates that approximately 88% of smoking initiation cases occur before the age of 18.

In this context, the importance of the Ministry of Health’s Decision No. 237 of 2026 concerning the regulation of the trade of tobacco and nicotine products and nicotine delivery systems becomes evident. This comes as the debate widens regarding ways to protect new generations from both traditional and modern products, primarily e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, after the tobacco industry altered its tools and marketing strategies to reach younger consumers.

Doctors and specialists emphasized to "Al-Siyasah" that the decision represents an important health step to protect society, but the greater challenge lies in actual implementation and keeping pace with the industry’s continuous development of its products and marketing methods. Does regulating the trade of tobacco mark a turning point in protecting society? And what does Kuwait need to ensure the effective implementation of the decision?

A proactive approach

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti, Consultant of Public Health, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Director of the Child Protection Center at the Ministry of Health, affirmed that the importance of the decision grows with the rapid evolution in forms of tobacco and nicotine consumption. These include traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches, smokeless oral tobacco products, and emerging products that may appear in the future.

Al-Shatti explained to "Al-Siyasah" that one of the decision’s key strengths is its adoption of a proactive approach that does not wait for health problems to emerge, but rather establishes a regulatory framework encompassing new products, thereby contributing to the protection of children, adolescents, and youth from early nicotine exposure.

He pointed out that banning the sale or supply of tobacco and nicotine products to individuals under 21, along with mandating age verification at points of sale, represents a crucial preventive measure. This is complemented by the ban on selling or trading these products in schools, universities, educational institutions, health facilities, government entities, sports clubs, youth centers, and facilities designated for children and youth.

Al-Shatti stressed the importance of banning direct and indirect advertising, promotion, and marketing, including via websites, social media platforms, influencers, and content creators, as well as free samples, gifts, discounts, promotional offers, and sponsorships.

Transition period

He emphasized that the real challenge following the issuance of the decree is transitioning from legislation to actual implementation. He called for utilizing the transitional period leading up to the decree’s enforcement on January 1, 2027, to launch a national awareness campaign, activate regulatory bodies, tighten control over imports and border crossings, and address e-commerce, delivery services, and digital platforms.

He highlighted the necessity of enhancing smoking cessation services in parallel with regulatory measures, through the provision of treatment and psychological and behavioral support. He stressed that the success of the decree should not be measured solely by the number of violations detected, but by the extent to which smoking rates and initiation among youth decline, cessation opportunities increase, and these factors contribute to reducing diseases, premature deaths, and the associated health and social burdens.

Al-Shatti appreciated the attention and support provided by Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi regarding this file, affirming that protecting future generations from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine is a shared national responsibility.

Research and Review

For her part, Dr. Abeer Al-Bahouh, Director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Health, affirmed that the decree represents an important step within the Ministry’s efforts to protect society, particularly children, adolescents, and youth, from the health consequences of exposure to tobacco products and their promotion.

Al-Bahouh stated that the Ministry does not treat the tobacco issue merely as an awareness file, but continuously studies and reviews the health and social impacts associated with various tobacco products. It monitors developments in the industry and the methods used to reach younger demographics, including electronic products and heated tobacco.

She explained that the Research and Studies Section of the Health Promotion Department recently conducted an online survey to assess the awareness and knowledge of adults in Kuwait regarding tobacco industry tactics and their impact on children. The survey included 820 participants and revealed that a wide segment is well aware of the risks of new products. Specifically, 74.5% confirmed their knowledge of the harms associated with nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes, while 58.4% believed that heated tobacco is not safe for smokers and those around them.

She added that the survey results simultaneously underscore the need to sustain awareness efforts. Notably, only 35% of participants could identify the slogan for the 2024 World No Tobacco Day, and only 35.9% knew that electronic cigarette users are three times more likely to use regular cigarettes later.

Al-Bahouh stressed that protecting children from tobacco industry interventions requires the integration of legislation, regulation, and awareness. She affirmed the Ministry’s continued monitoring of evidence and scientific studies, updating its awareness and preventive programs to align with new developments and support measures aimed at preventing tobacco products from reaching children and adolescents.

Scientific Studies

Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Anti-Smoking Association, appreciated the Ministry of Health’s measures to limit the access of tobacco products and derivatives to children and adolescents. He affirmed that restricting tobacco access to younger age groups helps delay the age of smoking initiation and reduces the number of smokers in the future. He noted that scientific studies have confirmed the scale of the smoking problem among youth in Kuwait.

He clarified that a study by researcher Walid Al-Ali, published in 2021, showed that the average age of smoking initiation in Kuwait is approximately 17.5 years. Meanwhile, a study by researcher Abdul Salam Nasser in 2020 revealed that the smoking rate among university students in Kuwait reached 46%, reflecting the need for preventive measures targeting youth before smoking becomes a habit and nicotine addiction.

He pointed to another study conducted by researcher Mu’aid Sheikh in 2020, which included adolescent students in Afghanistan, Oman, and Kuwait, and found that the prevalence of cigarette or tobacco product use during the 30 days preceding the survey was 28.8% in Kuwait. He emphasized that these indicators warrant intensified prevention efforts from the early school stages.

Al-Saleh called for the age limit of 21 to be accompanied by effective monitoring of sales outlets and continuous awareness campaigns in schools and universities, alongside strengthening the role of families in monitoring their children and educating them about the dangers of tobacco.

He stressed the importance of integrating efforts among the ministries of health and education, universities, families, and civil society organizations. He noted that the association supports anti-smoking initiatives through its specialized clinic, which helps smokers quit, and is working to enhance collaboration with universities to raise awareness of the risks of smoking and encourage students to quit and prevent initiation.