Article 8 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law

This article is addressed mainly to those who sell or import tobacco and its derivatives, and it sets eight controls to limit its sale:

1. Closed pack: it may be sold only inside a closed pack containing the number or quantity specified by the Implementing Regulations, which in practice means it may not be sold loose outside the pack.
2. No vending machines: it may not be sold through vending machines.
3. No sale inside public transport.
4. Age: it may not be sold to anyone under 18 years of age.
5. Patents: no patents relating to it may be registered.
6. No price cuts or gifts: its price may not be reduced, and it may not be offered as free samples or gifts.
7. Promotional products: it is not permitted to import, sell or offer products that carry advertising for tobacco and its derivatives.
8. Warning sticker: a sticker containing a health warning about the harms of smoking must be placed at the place of sale.

Note that the sticker in paragraph 8 is placed at the place of sale itself. Article 9 complements these controls by prohibiting the import and sale of children's toys and sweets made in the form of cigarettes.

The text of the article does not state a penalty for violating it, as penalties are set out in separate articles of the law. It is linked to Article 7, which prohibits smoking in places including public transport, and which bars anyone under 18 from smokers' areas in public places. Anyone who runs a shop selling tobacco would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and corporate matters.