Bahrain: oral tobacco and nicotine pouch regulation, July 2025

Law 8/2009 regarding combating smoking and all types of tobacco stipulates a ban on the import, of oral tobacco. The ban is also reflected in the Ministry of Trade and Industry decision 58/2010, which sets a ban on the import and retail of tobacco products for chewing, used under the tongue, or for inhaling. This includes, but is not limited to, snus, snuff, and oral tobacco and its derivatives, including katha nut, betel nut/gutka, green betel leaves, khaini, silver coated cardamom, masala sweet mix, areca nut, supari, mawa, and tobacco mix.

Additionally, oral tobacco – including chewing tobacco, snus, swika, shamma and tumbak – are banned in the GCC

This report provides detailed analysis of the current regulatory framework in place in Bahrain for nicotine pouches and oral tobacco, covering all policy areas from taxation and market access to advertising and packaging restrictions.