Article 9 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
المادة 9 من نظام مكافحة التدخين
The article prohibits importing and selling children's toys and sweets made in the form of cigarettes or any smoking tool.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يمنع استيراد وبيع ألعاب الأطفال والحلوى المصنعة على هيئة سجائر أو أي أداة من وسائل التدخين .
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 9 explained in plain English
This article protects children from early normalization of smoking, and prohibits two kinds of products:
- Children's toys made in the form of cigarettes or any smoking tool.
- Sweets made in the form of cigarettes or any smoking tool.
The two prohibited acts are importing and selling. What matters is the shape of the product, not its content; even if the sweet or toy contains no tobacco at all, it is prohibited if it is made in the form of a cigarette or smoking tool. The phrase "any smoking tool" extends to what resembles the means of use mentioned in the definition in Article 2, such as pipes and shisha.
This article complements the sales controls in Article 8, which include the ban on selling tobacco to anyone under 18 and the ban on products carrying advertising for tobacco.
The text of the article does not state a penalty for violating it, as penalties are set out in separate articles of the law. Anyone who works in the toy or sweets trade and has a question about a particular product would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in commercial and corporate matters.
Practical example
A wholesaler in Dammam imported a shipment of sweets shaped like small cigarettes to sell in grocery stores. This article prohibits importing and selling them even if they contain no tobacco, because what matters is the shape of the product.
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 9 of the Saudi Anti-Smoking Law
May sweets shaped like cigarettes be sold?
No. The article prohibits importing and selling sweets made in the form of cigarettes or any smoking tool.
Does the ban cover children's toys that resemble shisha?
The article prohibits children's toys made in the form of cigarettes or any smoking tool, and shisha is among the methods of use mentioned in the definition in Article 2.
Is the ban limited to importing?
No. The article prohibits both importing and selling.
More articles on Rules on Selling Tobacco
- 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 8
The article sets controls to limit tobacco sales, including sale in a closed pack, no vending machines, no sales to anyone under 18, and no price cuts or gifts.
للحد من بيع التبغ ومشتقاته يراعى ما يأتي : 1 - ألَّا يباع إلا داخل عبوة مغلقة تحتوي على العدد أو الكمية التي تحددها اللائحة التنفيذية. 2 - ألَّا يباع بآلات البي
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.