Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in Qatar?
Qatar bans tobacco snus: Article 7 of Law No. 10 of 2016 on the Control of Tobacco and its Derivatives prohibits importing, circulating, displaying, selling, distributing or manufacturing chewing tobacco and 'Sweika' (any tobacco-derivative substance kept in the mouth), and the customs tariff lists chewable and sniffing tobacco preparations (Shammah, Suwaikah) as prohibited goods. Violations carry up to six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to QAR 100,000, with confiscation. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are reported by GSTHR as banned by law as well, although they are not named in the 2016 Act. E-cigarettes are banned too. Do not bring either product into Qatar.
Western Asia
Qatar at a glance
| Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free) | Tobacco snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to adults | Banned | Banned |
| Possession and use | Unclear | Unclear |
| Personal import (mail order, bringing in) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Online sale inside the country | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Regulated | as a tobacco product | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | No legal cap found | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | Unclear | Unclear |
| Excise tax | Unclear | Unclear |
| Legal basis | Law No. 10 of 2016 on the Control of Tobacco and its Derivatives, Art. 7 (Sweika defined in Art. 1 as 'any substance made of tobacco derivatives, which is usually stored in the mouth'); Ministry of Public Health practice | Law No. 10 of 2016 on the Control of Tobacco and its Derivatives, Art. 1 (definitions), Art. 7 (prohibition), Art. 16 (penalties), Art. 20 (confiscation) |
| In force since | 1 January 2016 | 10 October 2016 |
Medium confidence: Based on consistent secondary sources; primary text not yet verified. Research tier 1. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in Qatar
Banned (reported), do not import.
GSTHR states 'Nicotine pouches are banned by law in Qatar' but notes personal-import rules are unclear. The 2016 Act does not name tobacco-free pouches; the ban follows from the broad Sweika definition (tobacco derivatives kept in the mouth, nicotine being a tobacco derivative) and from the Art. 7 ban on 'simulators of smoking tools'. Customs' prohibited-goods tariff lists tobacco-containing chewing/sniffing preparations (2403 99 21) but no separate line for tobacco-free pouches (2404 91) was seen. Treat as prohibited; expect confiscation.
Tax: Not relevant because the product cannot be legally sold. Qatar applies 100% excise to tobacco products under the GCC excise agreement.
Sources: Ministry of Public Health, Qatar (via Tobacco Control Laws), Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, General Authority of Customs, Qatar
Tobacco snus in Qatar
Banned: import, sale and distribution.
Art. 7: 'Importing, circulating, displaying, selling, distributing or manufacturing chewing tobacco, in any form and under any name, shall be prohibited' and the same for Sweika. Swedish-style snus is a tobacco preparation kept in the mouth and falls under Sweika. Art. 16: imprisonment up to six months and/or a fine up to QAR 100,000 for breaching Art. 7; Art. 19: fines up to QAR 100,000 for corporate offenders; Art. 20: confiscation, re-export or destruction regardless of quantity. Law No. 20 of 2002 contained an earlier prohibition. The Act does not expressly criminalise private possession, but import is itself prohibited.
Tax: Not relevant because the product is prohibited.
Sources: Ministry of Public Health, Qatar (via Tobacco Control Laws), General Authority of Customs, Qatar, Tobacco Control Laws (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into Qatar
| For personal use | Not allowed None for snus, chewing tobacco or nicotine pouches: chewable and sniffing tobacco preparations (Shammah, Suwaikah) are on Qatar Customs' prohibited-goods list and Law 10/2016 bans their import. No official duty-free allowance page for cigarettes could be retrieved. |
| Declaration | Unclear |
| Penalties | Confiscation, re-export or destruction of the goods (Art. 20); import in breach of Art. 7 is punishable by up to six months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to QAR 100,000 (Art. 16). |
E-cigarettes, electronic shisha and heated-tobacco devices are also prohibited imports (tariff headings 8543 40). Travellers should not carry snus, pouches or vapes into Qatar.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to Qatar?
Buying snus and pouches in Qatar
- Nicotine pouches sold in shops: No
- Tobacco snus sold in shops: No
Frequently asked questions
Is snus legal in Qatar?
No. Article 7 of Law No. 10 of 2016 prohibits importing, selling, displaying or distributing chewing tobacco and Sweika (tobacco kept in the mouth), which covers snus. Penalties reach six months' imprisonment and QAR 100,000.
Are nicotine pouches legal in Qatar?
No. GSTHR reports that nicotine pouches are banned by law in Qatar, and the Act's definition of Sweika covers tobacco-derivative substances kept in the mouth. Do not bring them in.
Can I bring snus or nicotine pouches into Qatar?
No. Chewable and sniffing tobacco preparations are on Qatar Customs' prohibited-goods list and import is banned by Law 10/2016; goods are confiscated and offenders can be fined or imprisoned.
What is the age limit for tobacco in Qatar?
18. Article 8 of Law 10/2016 prohibits selling cigarettes, tobacco or its derivatives to anyone under 18.
Are e-cigarettes legal in Qatar?
No. Article 7 bans importing, selling or distributing electronic cigarettes and electronic shisha, and customs lists the devices as prohibited goods.
Nearby in the atlas
- Afghanistan – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus legal
- Armenia – pouches legal, snus no specific rule found
- Azerbaijan – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus no specific rule found
- Bahrain – pouches banned, snus banned
- Bangladesh – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- Bhutan – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal with restrictions
- Brunei – pouches no specific rule found, snus banned
- Cambodia – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- China – pouches legal with restrictions, snus legal with restrictions
- Georgia – pouches legal, snus legal
Where are nicotine pouches legal?Where is snus legal?Strength limits by countryAge limits by country
Sources
- Law No. 10 of 2016 on the Control of Tobacco and its Derivatives (English translation) – Ministry of Public Health, Qatar (via Tobacco Control Laws) (Legislation, 10 October 2016; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Article 7 Importing, circulating, displaying, selling, distributing or manufacturing chewing tobacco, in any form and under any name, shall be prohibited. ... Importing, circulating, displaying, selling, distributing or manufacturing Sweika, in any form or under any name, shall also be prohibited.”
- GSTHR country profile: Qatar – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Nicotine pouches are banned by law in Qatar”
- Prohibited Goods (customs tariff list) – General Authority of Customs, Qatar (Customs; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“24 03 99 21 00 00 - - - - Chewable and sniffing preparation(Sahmmah, Suwaikah) containing tobacco”
- Qatar: legislation summary – Tobacco Control Laws (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.”
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.