2025 Developments
Nicotine in Saudi Arabia in 2025 demonstrates a decisive move away from reliance on cigarettes, with the decline in cigarette volumes by 5% over the year highlighting the impact of regulatory tightening and the growing appeal of smoke-free alternatives. The market remains attractive due to its robust value growth, as consumer expenditure on tobacco continued to rise, reaching SAR17,740 million in 2025 despite ongoing regulatory measures and a more formalised retail environment, signalling strong underlying demand for new formats such as e-vapour, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. Success increasingly depends on brands' ability to innovate in device-led products, leverage heritage in flavour and usage occasions, and adapt to a retail landscape shaped by strict compliance requirements and channel diversification, as specialist outlets and e-commerce gain momentum. Companies must invest in building ecosystems that support cross-format use, ensure compliance with evolving regulations, and target value-seeking consumers who now move fluidly between multiple nicotine types and purchase channels.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Nicotine industry in Saudi Arabia with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco
- Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco
If you're in the Nicotine industry in Saudi Arabia, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Nicotine in Saudi Arabia report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Nicotine in Saudi Arabia?
- Which are the leading brands in Nicotine in Saudi Arabia?
- How are products distributed in Nicotine in Saudi Arabia?
- Which category is the most heavily taxed in Saudi Arabia?
- How is the operating environment for Nicotine changing?
- What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Nicotine products in Saudi Arabia?
- How has COVID-19 impacted demand?
- How have national lockdown and enforced home seclusion following COVID-19 impacted sales?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Nicotine in Saudi Arabia
2025 Developments
Key Data Insights
Shifting Consumers Preferences Shape Growth as Users Move between Formats
Al Fakher Leverages Shisha Heritage to Boost Vape Sales
Regulatory Tightening Formalises Retail and Strengthens Compliance
Consumers Move between Nicotine Formats as New Options Multiply
Specialist Retail and E-Commerce Gain Ground as Regulation Formalises Sales
Philip Morris Maintains Leadership as Smoke-Free Formats Disrupt Shares
Convenience Stores and Small Local Grocers Anchor Cigarette Sales as Specialists and E-Commerce Attract New Users
Ecosystem Strategy and Accessible Pricing Redefine the Innovation Agenda
Entry-Level Heated Tobacco Devices and Tobacco-Free Oral Nicotine Lead Recent Product Development
Divergent Brand Fortunes Reflect the Uneven Commercial Returns From Innovation Investment
Legislation
Legislative Overview
Minimum Legal Smoking Age
Smoking Prevalence
Tar Levels
Health Warnings
Plain Packaging
Advertising and Sponsorship
Point-Of-Sale Display Bans
Smoking in Public Places
Flavoured Tobacco Product Ban
Reduced Harm
Vapour Products
Production/Imports/Exports
Cigarettes in Saudi Arabia
Key Data Insights
Cigarettes Summary
Municipal Regulations Restrict Informal Sales and Reshape Retail
Population Growth Sustains Demand Despite Falling Prevalence
Philip Morris International Shifts Smokers Towards Heated Tobacco
Population Growth Offsets Falling Smoking Prevalence and Fragmentation
Vaping and Heated Tobacco Challenge Exclusivity and Reshape Habits
Regulatory Pressures Sustain Decline as Alternatives Gain Ground
Marlboro Maintains Dominance as Competitive Pressure Intensifies
Small Local Grocers Lead, but Lose Share as Regulation Tightens
Instant-Commerce Platforms Offer Convenience but Face Regulatory Limits
Taxation Rates
Average Cigarette Pack Price Breakdown
Competitive Retention Strategies Drive Manufacturer-Led Innovation
Premium Formats and Brand-Level Differentiation Define the Innovation Response
Market Share Realignment Reflects the Uneven Returns on Product Innovation
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco in Saudi Arabia
Key Data Insights
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco Summary
Tightened Licensing Keeps Tobacco Sales with Specialists and Limits Growth
Shisha Habits and Pipe Tobacco Underpin Dominant Role for Smoking Tobacco
Al Fakher Adapts Shisha Experience for Vapes as Usage Overlaps Grow
Shisha Brands Reinforce Flavour Equity to Retain Occasion Share
Alternative Nicotine Formats Shape Dynamics
Al Fakher Tobacco Trading Llc Consolidates Leadership as Shisha Brands Drive Share Gains
Hospitality (On-Trade) Leads as Main Channel for Smoking Tobacco
Al Fakher Leverages Shisha Heritage to Expand Vape Formats
Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco in Saudi Arabia
Key Data Insights
Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco Summary
Consumer Demand for Reduced-Risk Alternatives Drives Value-Focused E-Vapour Sales
Philip Morris International Attracts Adult Smokers with Innovative Heated Tobacco Features
Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine Accelerates as Users Adopt Multiple Formats
Product Innovation and Cross-Format Overlap Intensify Competition and Reshape Loyalty
Top Player Strengthens Leadership as Rivals Lose Share in E-Vapour
Food/Drink/Tobacco Specialists Drive Consumer Loyalty through Format Expertise
Retail E-Commerce Gains Traction as Consumers Seek Device Innovation
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Nicotine
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- Fine Cut Cigarettes
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- Cigarettes (Illicit+Legal)
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- Cigars
- Cigarillos
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- Pipe Tobacco
- Fine Cut Tobacco
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- Chewing Tobacco
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- Loose US-Style Moist Snuff
- Portion US-Style Moist Snuff
- Swedish-Style Snus
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- Closed System Single Use
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- Closed System Rechargeable (including starter kits)
- Closed System Cartridges
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- Open Vaping Systems Charging and Vapourising Devices
- E-liquids
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- Tobacco Heating Devices
- Heated Tobacco
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- Nicotine Pouches
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- Closed System Single Use (Illicit+Legal)
- Closed System Cartridges (Illicit+Legal)
- E-Liquids (Illicit+Legal)
Nicotine
Passport Nicotine covers the seven major nicotine categories: Cigarettes, Cigars & Cigarillos, Smoking tobacco (made up of Pipe tobacco and RYO tobacco), Smokeless Tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco), E-Vapour Products (closed and open); Heated Tobacco; and Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine. Smoking paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, lighters or matches, etc., are not included, nor are nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, which are part of Euromonitor's Passport Consumer Healthcare database.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
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This report originates from Passport, our Nicotine research and analysis database.
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