Countries › Oceania › Solomon Islands
Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in the Solomon Islands?
Tobacco snus is legal but restricted in Solomon Islands: the Tobacco Control Act 2010 (in force 31 May 2012) does not ban smokeless tobacco, but section 12(1)(b) requires smokeless tobacco to be sold in unit packages of at least 30 grams, which most snus cans (15 to 24 g) do not meet, and retailers need a licence. Sale to under-18s is prohibited. Nicotine pouches are not covered by any rule: GSTHR records no law on pouches or e-cigarettes in Solomon Islands. No customs allowance for oral products was found.
Melanesia
Solomon Islands at a glance
| Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free) | Tobacco snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to adults | Unregulated (sold openly) | Legal with restrictions |
| Possession and use | Legal | Legal |
| Personal import (mail order, bringing in) | Unclear | Unclear |
| Online sale inside the country | Unclear | Allowed |
| Regulated | not specifically regulated | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | No specific limit found | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | No legal cap found | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | No flavour restrictions | Some flavours restricted |
| Excise tax | Unclear | Unclear |
| Legal basis | – | Tobacco Control Act 2010, ss. 12(1)(b), 14 and 15; Tobacco Control Regulations 2013 |
| In force since | – | 31 May 2012 |
Medium confidence: Based on consistent secondary sources; primary text not yet verified. Research tier 2. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in the Solomon Islands
Unregulated, no specific rule.
GSTHR: 'There is no specific law for e-cigarettes and vaping in Solomon Islands' and no information on nicotine pouches. The Tobacco Control Act 2010 applies to tobacco products, so tobacco-free pouches fall outside it. No evidence found of pouches being sold in the country.
Tobacco snus in the Solomon Islands
Legal, 18+, min 30 g pack.
Tobacco Control Laws: smokeless tobacco sales are permitted; s. 12(1)(b) requires smokeless tobacco unit packages to weigh at least 30 grams; s. 15(1) requires retail traders in tobacco products to be licensed; vending machines are banned (s. 14(1)); internet sales are not restricted; sale to under-18s is prohibited. The Minister may prohibit products with 'a distinctive fruity, sweet, or confectionery-like character'. Health-warning requirements for smokeless packaging are described as uncertain. The Act PDF could not be retrieved (server error); provisions are from the Tobacco Control Laws summary.
Sources: Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into the Solomon Islands
| For personal use | Unclear No Solomon Islands Customs page on passenger tobacco allowances was retrieved (the customs site only exposes the ASYCUDA portal). Travel guides usually cite 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco for adults, unverified. |
| Declaration | Unclear |
| Penalties | No specific penalty information found. |
Since smokeless tobacco is legal domestically, a personal supply of snus is unlikely to be a problem; pouches are unregulated.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to the Solomon Islands?
Frequently asked questions
Is snus legal in Solomon Islands?
Yes, with restrictions. The Tobacco Control Act 2010 allows smokeless tobacco but requires it to be sold in packages of at least 30 g, by licensed retailers, and not to anyone under 18. Standard snus cans are lighter than 30 g, so they could not legally be retailed as packaged.
Are nicotine pouches legal in Solomon Islands?
There is no rule on them. GSTHR records no law on nicotine pouches or e-cigarettes in Solomon Islands. Pouches are unregulated, with no age limit or nicotine cap.
Can I bring snus or nicotine pouches into Solomon Islands?
No customs page on the tobacco allowance could be retrieved. Smokeless tobacco is legal domestically, so a personal supply should not be prohibited; declare it if asked.
What is the age limit for tobacco in Solomon Islands?
18. The Tobacco Control Act 2010 prohibits selling tobacco products to persons under 18.
Nearby in the atlas
- Australia – pouches prescription only, snus banned
- Fiji – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus banned
- Kiribati – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Marshall Islands – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Micronesia – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Nauru – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- New Zealand – pouches banned, snus banned
- Palau – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Papua New Guinea – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Samoa – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
Where are nicotine pouches legal?Where is snus legal?Strength limits by countryAge limits by country
Sources
- Solomon Islands: tobacco control law 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.”
- Solomon Islands: sales restrictions (Tobacco Control Act 2010) – Tobacco Control Laws, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Smokeless Tobacco (Article 12(1)(b)): Unit packages must weigh minimum 30 grams.”
- Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Solomon Islands – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“There is no specific law for e-cigarettes and vaping in Solomon Islands.”
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.