Article 3 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
المادة 3 من نظام مكافحة التدخين
The article prohibits growing or manufacturing tobacco and its derivatives within the Kingdom.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تحظر زراعة أو تصنيع التبغ ومشتقاته في المملكة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 3 explained in plain English
This article places an express and direct prohibition on the local production stage of tobacco, covering two activities:
- Growing: tobacco may not be grown within the Kingdom.
- Manufacturing: tobacco and its derivatives may not be manufactured within the Kingdom.
Tobacco derivatives are understood in light of the definition of smoking in Article 2, which mentions cigarettes, cigars, jurak, tombak, mu'assel and any product containing tobacco. Producing any of these products within the Kingdom falls within the prohibition.
The article is limited to growing and manufacturing within the Kingdom and does not address importing or selling; those have other provisions in the law. It is followed by Article 4, which provides for increasing fees on tobacco and its derivatives by Council of Ministers decision, so the law combines a ban on local production with a rise in the cost of the product.
The text of the article does not state a penalty for violation, as penalties are set out in separate articles of the law. Anyone with an agricultural or industrial activity that might fall within this prohibition would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and corporate matters.
Practical example
An investor in Al-Qassim wanted to set up a small factory to produce mu'assel locally. This article prohibits manufacturing tobacco and its derivatives in the Kingdom, and mu'assel is among the products mentioned in the definition of smoking, so he may not set up this factory.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 3 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
Is it permitted to grow tobacco in Saudi Arabia?
No. This article prohibits growing tobacco and its derivatives in the Kingdom.
Is it permitted to manufacture mu'assel or cigarettes within the Kingdom?
No. The article prohibits manufacturing tobacco and its derivatives in the Kingdom, and mu'assel and cigarettes are among the products mentioned in the definition in Article 2.
Does this article prohibit importing tobacco?
No. The article is limited to prohibiting the growing and manufacturing of tobacco and its derivatives within the Kingdom and does not address importing.
More articles on Ban on Growing Tobacco and Its Clearance
- Article 4
The article provides for increasing fees on tobacco and its derivatives, with the increase to be made by a decision of the Council of Ministers.
تزاد الرسوم على التبغ ومشتقاته، بقرار من مجلس الوزراء.
- Article 5
The article requires the package of tobacco and its derivatives to carry the explanatory and warning information specified by the Implementing Regulations.
يجب أن يكون موضحاً على علبة التبغ ومشتقاته البيانات الإيضاحية والتحذيرية التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 6
The article prevents the final clearance of tobacco and its derivatives until samples are analyzed in laboratories specified by the regulations to confirm they meet the approved specifications.
لا يفسح للتبغ ومشتقاته بشكل نهائي إلا بعد تحليل عينات منه في المختبرات التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية، للتأكد من مطابقتها للمواصفات التي تعدها الجهة المختصة بالت
- Article 13
The article punishes anyone who violates the ban on growing or manufacturing tobacco in Article 3 with a fine of SAR 20,000 and removal of the violation at their expense.
يعاقب كل مخالف لأحكام المادة (الثالثة) من هذا النظام بغرامة مالية مقدارها (20.000) عشرون ألف ريال مع إزالة المخالفة على حسابه.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.