Smoking in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, smoking prevalence among adults aged 15 years and older remains a significant public health concern. As of 2022, there were approximately 4,310,784 tobacco smokers, reflecting a gradual increase from 3,211,720 in 2019. The adult smoking prevalence was recorded at 16.2% in 2022, indicating a slight increase from 15.6% in 2020 and from 12.7% in 2019. The smoking prevalence among males was notably higher, with 26.3% in 2022 compared to 24.7% in 2020 and 24.2% in 2019. For females, the prevalence was recorded at 1.9% in 2022, showing a slight increase from 1.8% in 2020 and 1.2% in 2019. In 2019, the adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence was recorded at 15.2% with 24% among males and 2% among females. Tobacco smoking resulted in 14,238 deaths in the country in 2021. This includes 12,174 male deaths, accounting for 11.6% of all male deaths, and 2,064 female deaths, accounting for 4.06% of all female deaths. Overall, tobacco smoking-related deaths constituted 9.14% of all mortalities in the same year. These statistics underline the ongoing challenge of tobacco smoking in Saudi Arabia and highlight the need for continued public health interventions and regulatory measures to mitigate the impact of smoking on public health.
Read articles from Saudi Arabia
March 06, 2025 by cureus.com
Epidemiology of Using Electronic Cigarettes in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and factors influencing e-cigarette use in Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple academic databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, analyzing studies published between January 2021 and September 2024. Data from 15 trials involving 6,736 participants (57.5% male) showed that e-cigarette use prevalence ranged from 7.2% among university students to 79.8% among young adults (18–30 years), with an overall median of 36.6%. [...]
February 14, 2024 by cureus.com
The Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review
The use of electronic cigarettes (or "e-cigarettes") is spreading throughout the world. Population-level data from a number of countries indicate that e-cigarettes are used more by children and young adults than by the overall population. Although extensive research has been conducted in Western nations to better understand many aspects of e-cigarette usage among children and young adults, Middle Eastern nations have little data on this topic. The use of tobacco is detrimental to the health, finances, and national spirit of Saudi Arabia. More than 7,000 of its citizens die each year from diseases caused by tobacco use.
April 24, 2023 by thenationalnews.com
Vape confusion holds smokers back from kicking habit
A lack of clear information around less harmful cigarette alternatives is preventing more smokers from quitting, new research shows.
In a recent survey commissioned by British American Tobacco (BAT) and carried out by market analysts Kantar, 41 per cent of adult nicotine users in the UAE and Saudi Arabia were aware of how to reduce the harm imposed by smoking.
Data also showed 85 per cent of adult UAE smokers were open to switching to nicotine products such as vapes, compared with 35 per cent of smokers in Saudi Arabia.
October 14, 2021 by vapingpost.com
Saudi’s Medical Students’ Perceptions About E-Cigarette Use
The study titled, “Knowledge and Attitudes Among Medical Students Toward the Clinical Usage of e-Cigarettes: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia,” aimed to measure the likelihood of study participants’ favouring the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. A total of 399 students filled a four-item questionnaire.
The compiled responses indicated that a minority approved of e-cigarette use for smoking cessation. “A minority (13.5%) believed that e-cigarettes are FDA-approved for smoking cessation, while approximately one-third believed e-smoking lowers cancer risks (31.1%) and could help with smoking cessation (31.1%).”
April 09, 2021 by thenationalnews.com
Saudi Arabia bans selling tobacco to children and smoking around them
Saudi Arabia banned the sale of tobacco to teenagers under 18 years old and smoking in areas where children are present, state media reported this week.
Importing and selling toys or candy made to look like cigarettes, or bear images that encourage children to smoke, has also been banned by law.
Saudi parents welcomed the move, saying it is “about time” people started acting responsibly and realise dangers of second-hand smoking.
“I am so relieved as a parent and teacher that the government is forcing adults to quit or at least prevent second-hand smoking and is focused on improving public health,” said Suad Alamri [...]
October 27, 2020 by vapingpost.com
Saudi Arabia Bans The Non-Commercial Importation of Vaping Products
Saudi Customs have just banned the importation of shisha and vaping products through shipping companies and individuals' websites, from now on allowing only licensed companies to import the products for commercial purposes. As a result of this measure, anyone caught importing the products unlawfully will have them confiscated, forced to pay a fine, and have the offence recorded. On the other hand, said Saudi Customs, there are three circumstances under which importers can claim a refund of customs duties. [...]
May 09, 2018 by arabnews.com
VAT on tobacco in Saudi Arabia persuades many smokers to quit, but some hang on
Many Saudis say the increase in tobacco prices which doubled after the introduction of the value-added tax (VAT) in June last year, has helped them to quit this bad habit.
Salman Al-Imam, a Sudanese driver living in Saudi Arabia, gave up 10 months ago. “I had been smoking for 15 years and never thought I’d quit,” he said. “However, with willpower, determination and Champix, I now can’t even stand the smell. I’d rather spend that money on my family.”