Kuwait has introduced sweeping new rules governing tobacco and nicotine products, banning online sales and deliveries, setting the minimum purchase age at 21 and extending smoking restrictions to electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Health Minister Dr Ahmed Al Awadhi issued a ministerial resolution, establishing a broad regulatory framework covering the import, manufacture, packaging, distribution, sale, display, advertising, promotion and use of tobacco and nicotine products.
The regulations will take effect on January 1, 2027.
They cover conventional tobacco products as well as electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, nicotine-containing products and other nicotine-delivery systems, including future technologies that may enter the market after the rules come into force.
The measures are part of efforts to strengthen public-health protections and reduce the health, economic and social costs associated with tobacco and nicotine use, with a particular focus on preventing access among children and young people.
Under the new rules, tobacco, nicotine and nicotine-delivery products cannot be sold, delivered or otherwise provided to anyone under the age of 21.
Retailers will be required to verify a customer’s age using a civil ID or another officially approved method before completing a sale or delivery.
Licensed sales outlets must also display a clear notice in both Arabic and English stating that the sale or supply of such products to people under 21 is prohibited.
The resolution defines a sale broadly, covering not only conventional retail transactions but also electronic sales, delivery, distribution, free samples, gifts and promotional offers.
One of the most significant provisions is a ban on selling, displaying or distributing regulated products through websites, mobile applications, social media platforms and delivery services.
The rules also prohibit sales through self-service machines.
Even in locations where sales are permitted, tobacco and nicotine products cannot be displayed in a way that allows customers to access them directly without supervision.
The measure substantially tightens controls over channels that can make tobacco and nicotine products easier to obtain, particularly for younger consumers.
The regulations prohibit the sale, display and distribution of tobacco, nicotine and nicotine-delivery products in a wide range of locations.
These include nurseries, kindergartens, schools, institutes, universities, colleges and other public and private educational institutions.
The ban also applies to public and private healthcare and medical facilities, government agencies and institutions, sports clubs, health institutes, youth centres, theatres, cinemas and other facilities serving children and young people.
Sales and displays are additionally prohibited in grocery shops, mobile carts, temporary kiosks, exhibitions and entertainment events.
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