Key Takeaways
- Kuwait has banned the sale of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, all types of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and related accessories through delivery platforms and similar digital channels.
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry may impose warnings, temporary administrative closure or licence revocation for violations.
- The decision takes effect from the date of issuance and repeals conflicting provisions.
- The ministry carried out inspections in Hawally governorate and issued 13 violation reports against several shops.
- Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Amthal Al-Huwailah said food supplies remain stable.
2Firsts, March 16, 2026
According to the original report, Kuwait Minister of Commerce and Industry Osama Boodai has issued a ban on the sale of tobacco, its derivatives and all types of cigarettes, including electronic cigarettes, as well as tools, devices and accessories used for their consumption through delivery platforms or any similar digital channels.
The decision authorises the ministry, without prejudice to stricter penalties under other laws, to impose one or more sanctions upon confirmation of a violation, including a warning, temporary administrative closure, or licence revocation in the event of repeated offences.
Officials concerned have been directed to implement the decision within their respective jurisdictions. The decision takes effect from the date of issuance, repeals any conflicting provisions and will be published in the Official Gazette.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said it carried out a field inspection tour in Hawally governorate and issued 13 violation reports against several commercial shops. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency, the ministry said the campaign was led by Minister of Commerce and Industry Osama Khaled Boodai and carried out with the participation of the ministry’s emergency inspection team on Saturday evening.
The statement said the campaign identified several infractions, most notably failure to comply with decisions regulating fixed prices for food items. The ministry stressed that emergency teams would continue inspection campaigns across markets to monitor prices, protect consumers and ensure that shops comply with regulatory decisions.
Separately, Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah conducted an inspection tour on Saturday of several cooperative societies in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate to review stock levels and assess the availability of food and basic commodities.
During the visit, Amthal Al-Huwailah met with a number of citizens and listened to their views and observations regarding the availability of goods. The move is part of the ministry’s efforts to maintain direct communication with the public and ensure that cooperative markets are operating smoothly.
She said food supplies remain stable and that cooperative societies continue to meet consumer needs without shortages. She also urged officials at the societies to maintain adequate quantities of essential commodities and give priority to national products.
She added that such field tours are conducted in line with directives from the political leadership to closely monitor market conditions and ensure the continued availability of essential goods. She said the ministry would continue to follow up with cooperative societies across all governorates to maintain market stability and meet the needs of citizens and residents.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry also announced that emergency inspection teams in Farwaniya and Ahmadi governorates carried out field campaigns targeting commercial shops and issued violation reports.
The violations included failure to comply with fixed food pricing decisions, selling goods at prices higher than the approved rate, failure to display prices, improper promotional offers, failure to issue invoices and failure to specify the country of origin of products. The ministry also recorded a violation involving a mismatch between the actual commercial activity and the licensed activity of a shop.
The statement said legal measures have been taken against the violators. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry affirmed that inspection campaigns will continue in various areas to control prices and ensure that commercial establishments adhere to market regulations.
Image source: Kuwait Times
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