What to know about the new indoor tobacco use penalty in Saudi Arabia
The announcements were made by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
Saudi Arabia has recently been cleaning up dining establishments by announcing new rules and now penalties as well for certain behaviours in restaurants. This is everything we know about the new indoor tobacco use penalty in Saudi Arabia.
The indoor tobacco use penalty in Saudi Arabia aims to tighten health and safety standards in the food sector, according to Gulf News.
أطلقنا بالتعاون مع @Saudi_FDA جدول مخالفات نظام الغذاء المحدث لتعزيز السلامة الغذائية ورفع مستوى الامتثال لدى المنشآت، التحديث يشمل آلية متدرجة للعقوبات وتصنيفات تراعي حجم النشاط
ويؤكد أن سلامة الغذاء تبدأ بالامتثال وللاطلاع على الجدول المحدث عبر الرابط: https://t.co/FF9ab4j4hu pic.twitter.com/7bJMLU8dii
— وزارة البلديات والإسكان (@saudimomrah) August 30, 2025
The country is now introducing a fine of up to SAR5,000 for smoking in nonsmoking areas of food outlets. The measures are an important part of targeting unhygienic practices, deceptive sales, and non-compliance with food safety rules. The aim is to enhance hygiene and consumer protection.
Along with the new indoor tobacco use penalty in Saudi Arabia, several other penalties have also been revealed. Read on below to find out.
Restaurants
Workers in food preparation areas will also now face several different fines. These include SAR1,000 for not wearing face masks and another SAR1,000 for failing to cover their heads. Like we said, smoking in nonsmoking areas will now have the highest penalty of SAR5,000.
Food delivery
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in cooperation with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has also announced several violations regarding new components in the food supply chain, including delivery personnel, food tracking, handling food poisoning cases, food record keeping, and the importance of documentation and transparency in protecting both consumers and establishments, according to Saudi Gazette.
Visit: @saudimomrah
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