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Tag: Saudi Arabia

  • Digital Connectivity, Collaboration Helping PMI Evolve in Saudi Arabia

    Digital Connectivity, Collaboration Helping PMI Evolve in Saudi Arabia

    Philip Morris International (PMI) says rapid shifts in consumer behavior are reshaping the tobacco and nicotine market in Saudi Arabia, driven by greater digital connectivity, global exposure, and rising expectations around transparency and product experience. In an interview with the Saudi Gazette, Christian Akiki, managing director of Philip Morris Saudi Arabia Trading, said Saudi consumers are increasingly informed, vocal, and open to alternatives, pushing brands to better understand local preferences while maintaining clear and authentic communication. This evolution, he said, has supported growing interest in smoke-free products such as heated tobacco devices, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes, which have become more established in the Kingdom over the past decade.

    Akiki said PMI’s smoke-free strategy in Saudi Arabia relies heavily on cooperation with regulators, particularly the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, emphasizing that progress depends on science-based dialogue and aligned oversight. He pointed to the earlier launch of nicotine pouches by Badael, a Public Investment Fund company, as evidence of regulatory openness to alternative products. PMI also highlighted the importance of local talent and market-specific strategies, noting that approaches successful in other countries do not automatically translate to Saudi Arabia. According to Akiki, Saudi Arabia’s advanced digital infrastructure and Vision 2030 agenda provide a favorable environment for innovation, positioning the market as a potential benchmark for science-driven tobacco harm reduction initiatives globally.

  • Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Shops Near Schools and Mosques

    Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Shops Near Schools and Mosques

    Saudi Arabia has enacted a ban on tobacco shops within 500 meters of schools and mosques, according to the Saudi Gazette.

    The ban applies to all stores selling tobacco products and accessories, including cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes. According to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, obtaining a retail license for tobacco products requires a valid commercial registration, Civil Defense approval, and full compliance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures Law and its executive regulations.

    Tobacco products and their derivatives must also comply with the standard specifications approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Prices for these products cannot be reduced, and they cannot be given as gifts, prizes, or free samples. Import, sale, or offer of any product advertising tobacco or its derivatives is banned.

    Requirements to sell tobacco in the kingdom are specific, involving spatial and architectural requirements and advertising requirements.

  • Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Sales in Small Stores

    Saudi Arabia Bans Tobacco Sales in Small Stores

    A directive issued by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, bans the sale of tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) and shisha from kiosks, grocery stores (baqalas), and mini markets. According to the new regulations, such products will be available in supply stores (supermarkets and hypermarkets) only.

    The new regulations define grocery stores as having a minimum floor space of 24 square meters, while supermarkets have 100 square meters, and hypermarkets have 500 square meters. The directive will take effect immediately; however, establishments will be granted a six-month correction period to get rid of inventory.

  • PMI Calls for Action Against Illicit Trade

    PMI Calls for Action Against Illicit Trade

    Photo: promesaartstudio

    Philip Morris International has called for action against the illicit cigarette trade in Saudi Arabia, reports Arab News. Illicit trade currently accounts for between 17 percent and 25 percent of the tobacco market in Saudi Arabia.

    Philippe Van Gils, PMI’s regional head of illicit trade prevention for the Middle East, warned that the illegal tobacco trade poses a risk not only to government revenues, but also to public health.

    “Billions are going into the pockets of illicit organizations instead of the governments where the latter could use the money for development and other purposes,” Van Gils said, adding that illicit traders also neglect sanitary standards in manufacturing or shipping

    Van Gils stressed the importance of building awareness of the issue in the private sector and among consumers. He said that collaboration is crucial due to the magnitude of the problem. “No one can fix this issue alone; it requires a public-private partnership,” he said. 

    He further said that the private sector could address this issue using technology and better controls on its supply chain operations. “It’s about knowing your customers, monitoring the volume of products you sell to ensure it responds to legitimate demand and leveraging technology to track your product down the supply chain,” he said. 

    Governments, in turn, should not only enact effect regulation, but also enforce it. To help authorities distinguish illicit products from genuine ones, PMI has held several training sessions this year, including for the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. 

     According to Van Gils the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated illicit trade on the dark web. He said the solution is to reduce illicit tobacco while promoting better alternatives, specifically heated tobacco products such as e-cigarettes. 

    “Our position is that if you don’t smoke, don’t start. But if you can’t quit, switch to better alternatives that are now available thanks to technological advancements,” added Van Gils. 

  • Saudi Officials Trained to Fight Illicit Trade

    Saudi Officials Trained to Fight Illicit Trade

    Illustration: MyCreative

    RELX International concluded a training session with Saudi Customs Authority and Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property officials on May 25. The training aimed to complement Saudi officials’ efforts in fighting the illicit trade of contraband and counterfeit e-cigarettes in the kingdom.

    The training covered several key aspects: discerning legal products from illegal ones; raising awareness and educating people about the consequences of the illegal trade of e-cigarettes; sharing research and intelligence on identifying illegal trading activities; collaborating with government officials to track and confiscate counterfeit products; and developing and implementing product authentication, tracking and tracing technologies. To facilitate the effectiveness of the training, RELX International collaborated with leading intellectual property firm SABA IP.

    As part of RELX’s ongoing commitment to protecting the rights of legal e-cigarette users, and fighting the illicit trade if e-cigarettes under the Golden Shield Program, additional training sessions are planned in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan.

    “As a responsible company, RELX frequently works with local authorities, investigation firms and e-commerce platforms to identify and remove contraband and counterfeit e-cigarette products from the market as part of the RELX Pledge,” said Robert Naouss, external affairs director, MENA & Europe at RELX International, in a statement.

    “We are pleased to have been able to complete an in-depth training session with relevant Saudi authorities and applaud their tireless commitment to ensuring consumers in Saudi Arabia have access to authentic and reliable e-cigarette products at fair prices.”

    RELX established the Golden Shield Program in August 2019 to help prevent the production and sale of the illicit goods. Since its establishment, the initiative has helped remove more than 550,000 fake products from the market, as well as over 77,000 websites.