By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
Online crackdown: Kuwait has banned the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and e-cigarettes through delivery apps and digital platforms.
Strict penalties: Violations may lead to warnings, temporary shutdowns, or license revocations for repeated offenses.
Enforcement push: The decision comes as the Ministry of Commerce increases inspections of retail shops across multiple governorates.
Kuwait has prohibited the sale of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and related accessories through delivery platforms and other e-commerce channels as regulators strengthen oversight of nicotine products and online commerce.
Minister of Commerce and Industry (MCI) Osama Boodai announced in a release that the order also digital/online ban includes devices, tools, and accessories used for consuming tobacco and vaping products. Under the measure, the MCI has the authority to enforce penalties if violations are confirmed.
Possible sanctions include warnings, temporary closures of businesses, or license revocation for repeat offenders.
The decision becomes effective immediately upon issuance and will be published in Kuwait’s Official Gazette. It also nullifies any previous regulations that conflict with the new rule. At the same time, MCI stated that it is continuing inspection campaigns targeting retail businesses. During a recent enforcement operation in Hawally governorate, authorities issued 13 violation reports against commercial shops.
Officials said the violations mainly involved pricing and consumer protection rules, such as not displaying prices, selling goods above approved rates, improper promotions, and failing to provide invoices or specify product origin.
Additional inspections were conducted in the Farwaniya and Ahmadi governorates, two of Kuwait’s six major governorates, where regulators cited additional violations related to pricing rules and licensing requirements. Authorities stated that inspection teams will keep monitoring markets nationwide to enforce commercial regulations and safeguard consumers.
