RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Housing and Municipal and Rural Affairs has banned the sale of tobacco products in supermarkets and kiosks throughout the Kingdom as part of revised regulations designed to improve food safety standards and safeguard public health.
The new law governs all packaged and manufactured tobacco products licensed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. These include traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, shisha, and similar products, which can no longer be sold at grocery stores or kiosks—both most often licensed to sell packaged foods, personal care items, and detergents.
As per the revised specifications issued on Monday, supermarkets—retail facilities with a minimum floor area of 24 square meters—are not allowed to carry tobacco products. Likewise, kiosks, which are generally small independent buildings or counters in malls or public areas, are not allowed to sell tobacco.
The ministry explained that where the sale of tobacco products is allowed—like in bigger outlets like hypermarkets—they are to follow strict regulations. These cover keeping all tobacco products in completely covered drawers, out of sight of customers, and abiding by age requirements under the Anti-Smoking Law. Vendors are empowered to ask for evidence of age to verify consumers are 18 years or older.
Spatial and Licensing Requirements
The new rules also redefine space and licensing conditions for various retail formats:
- Mall kiosks: Minimum size of 4 sq m
- Commercial/mixed-use land kiosks: Minimum size of 10 sq m
- Grocery stores: Minimum size of 24 sq m
- Supermarkets: 100 sq m
- Hypermarkets: 500 sq m
Moreover, retail companies need to seek Civil Defense approval before being licensed and present a valid commercial registration specifying their activities.
Kiosks can be installed in shopping center parking lots with local government permission, as long as parking traffic isn’t impaired. More activities can be installed on kiosks and stores, but with conditions: additional activities are not more than 50% of the facility’s space and are at least 6 sq m.
While fresh produce and tobacco cannot be sold by grocery stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets can sell such things as nuts, fruits, spices, meat, fish, dairy, tobacco, and have bakeries. Pharmacies, restaurants, and mobile phone counters are allowed only in hypermarkets.
In order to promote consistency and visual harmony, all commercial signage shall conform to approved guidelines for color, typography, and branding, and only four colors—yellow and three shades of green—are allowed for commercial identity.
A Broader Vision
These are among the ministry’s wider efforts to boost public health, upgrade the quality of retail services, reduce visual clutter, and cut structural and environmental violations. The regulations align with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives through supporting consumer protection, urban planning, and sustainable trade.
Source: Saudi Gazette “Saudi Arabia bans grocery stores from selling tobacco products”
