Where is snus legal?

Tobacco snus (moist oral tobacco, Swedish style) is legal to sell in 89 of the 199 countries covered and banned for sale in 59. The largest single block is the European Union, where Article 17 of Directive 2014/40/EU bans oral tobacco in every member state except Sweden. The UK has banned sale since 1992. In most of these countries possession and personal use remain legal, and travellers may bring in a personal supply. Data verified 4 September 2026.

Legal Restricted Banned No rule found EU ban explained Same list for nicotine pouches

A hand lifting a portion of tobacco snus from an open can — Photo: hjartstrom, Pixabay

Countries where tobacco snus are legal to sell (58)

Country	Detail	Age	Cap	Legal basis
Afghanistan	Legal under general tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Tobacco Control Law 2015 (amended 2018)
Bangladesh	Legal as smokeless tobacco, 18+	18	–	Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005, as amended 2013 and by Act No. 91 of 2026
Barbados	Permitted by default, general tobacco law	–	–	–
Belarus	Legal, 18+, under general tobacco law	18	–	Presidential Decree No. 28 of 17 December 2002 (tobacco control)
Bolivia	Legal, 18+, general tobacco law	18	–	–
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Reported legal, patchy entity-level rules	–	–	Law on the Control and Restricted Use of Tobacco, Tobacco Products, and Other Smoking Products (2023)
Cambodia	Legal under general tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Law on Tobacco Control (8 April 2015)
Canada	Legal, 18+ federal (19 most provinces)	18	–	Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (S.C. 1997, c. 13), s. 8; Excise Act, 2001
Chile	Legal as tobacco product, 18+	18	–	Ley 19.419 sobre restricciones a actividades relacionadas con el tabaco, as amended by Ley 21.642
Colombia	Legal, 18+, but not sold	18	–	Ley 1335 de 2009, as amended by Ley 2354 de 2024
Costa Rica	Legal, 18+, general tobacco law	18	–	–
Dominican Republic	Reportedly legal, age limit unclear	–	–	–
DR Congo	Legal in principle, 18+, under general tobacco law	18	–	Order No. 1250/CAB/MIN/SPHP/041/DCA/PNLCT/2022; Law No. 18/035 of 13 December 2018 on fundamental public health principles
Ecuador	Legal, 18+, general tobacco law	18	–	Ley Orgánica para la Regulación y Control del Tabaco (2011); Reglamento No. 1047 (2012)
Egypt	Reported legal, 18+	18	–	Law No. 52 of 1981 Concerning the Prevention of the Adverse Effects of Tobacco, as amended (Law 85/2002, Law 154/2007)
El Salvador	Legal, 18+, no online sale	18	–	Ley para el Control del Tabaco (Decreto 771, 2011); Reglamento (Decreto 63)
Gabon	Likely legal under general tobacco law, 18+ (dated data)	18	–	Law No. 006/2013 on Tobacco Control (21 August 2014) and implementing decrees (2016, 2024)
Georgia	Legal, 18+, no online sale	18	–	Law of Georgia on Tobacco Control No. 4059-RS, Art. 3(a.e) and Art. 5; Tax Code Art. 188
Guatemala	Legal, 18+, general tobacco law	18	–	Código de Salud (Decreto 90-97); Decreto 74-2008; Acuerdo Gubernativo 338-2013
Guyana	Legal in principle, 18+, no online sale	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2017
Honduras	Legal, 21+, covered by tobacco law	21	–	Ley Especial para el Control del Tabaco (Decreto 92-2010); Reglamento (Acuerdo Ejecutivo 05-2011)
Indonesia	Legal, excise applies, age 21	21	–	Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 (PP 28/2024); tobacco excise regulations
Iraq	Legal under general tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Anti-Smoking Act No. 19 of 2012
Israel	Legal, 18+, no advertising	18	–	Prohibition of Advertising and Restriction of Marketing of Tobacco and Smoking Products Law, 5743-1983, ss. 1, 7B, 8A, 9C, as amended by Amendment No. 7 (5779-2019) and Amendment No. 8 (5782-2022)
Ivory Coast	Likely legal under general tobacco law, 18+ (dated data)	18	–	Law No. 2019-676 of 23 July 2019 on Tobacco Control; Decree No. 2022-75; Order No. 848 of 18 June 2024
Jamaica	Legal in principle, 18+, not sold	18	–	Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations, 2013 (amended 2014)
Japan	Legal, 20+, rarely sold	20	–	Tobacco Business Act (たばこ事業法, Act No. 68 of 1984); Act Prohibiting Smoking by Minors, No. 33 of 1900
Jordan	Legal under general tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Public Health Law No. 47 of 2008, Chapter 12, as amended by Law No. 11 of 2017
Kenya	Legal, 18+, warnings and excise	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2007 and Tobacco Control Regulations 2014
Kosovo	Reported legal (dated source)	18	–	Law No. 4/L-156 on Tobacco Control
Laos	Legal under general tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Law on Tobacco Control (2009, amended 2021)
Liechtenstein	Legal domestically, 18+ (Swiss law via customs union)	18	–	Swiss Tobacco Products Act (Tabakproduktegesetz), applied in Liechtenstein via the Swiss-Liechtenstein customs union
Mexico	Legal, 18+, but not sold in Mexico	18	–	Ley General para el Control del Tabaco (2008), as amended 2022
Myanmar	Legal under general tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Product Law (2006)
Nauru	Legal to sell (not specifically prohibited)	–	–	Tobacco Control Act 2009 (Act No. 4/2009), as amended
Nepal	Legal under general tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Tobacco Product (Control and Regulation) Act, 2010
Nicaragua	Legal, general tobacco law	–	–	Ley No. 727, Ley para el Control del Tabaco (2010); Decreto No. 41-2011 (reglamento)
Nigeria	Legal, 18+, no online sale	18	–	National Tobacco Control Act 2015; National Tobacco Control Regulations 2019
Norway	Legal, 18+, plain packaging	18	–	Tobakksskadeloven (LOV-1973-03-09-14) § 17 (age 18), § 21 b (cross-border distance selling ban), § 41 (export ban)
Pakistan	Legal, 18+, no specific rules	18	–	Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002 (sale to under-18s prohibited); no oral-tobacco-specific law
Panama	Legal, 18+, general tobacco law	18	–	Ley No. 13 de 24 de enero de 2008
Paraguay	Legal, 18+, no online sale	18	–	Ley No. 5538/2015 de control del tabaco; Ley No. 7508/2024
Peru	Legal, 18+, general tobacco law	18	–	Ley No. 32159 (2024), previously Ley No. 28705 (2006) and Ley No. 29517 (2010)
Rwanda	Legal under tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Law No. 08/2013 of 01/03/2013 relating to the control of tobacco, Arts 2, 7 and 10
Saint Lucia	Legal in principle, unregulated	–	–	Public Health (Amendment) Act 2019; Public Health (Smoking Control) Regulations 2020; SLNS 27:2016 Specification for Labelling of Tobacco Products
Senegal	Reported permitted; general tobacco law applies (18+)	18	–	Loi n°2014-14 du 14 mars 2014 relative à la fabrication, à la vente et à la consommation du tabac; Décret n°2016-1008 (July 2016)
Serbia	Legal, 18+, registration required	18	–	Zakon o duvanu, Art. 2 (ostali duvanski proizvodi include 'duvan za oralnu upotrebu (snus)'), Art. 37 (registration)
Seychelles	Legal under tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Tobacco Control Act, 2009 (Act 14 of 2009), ss. 2, 7 and 8
Sierra Leone	Reported permitted; general tobacco law applies (18+)	18	–	Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act, 2022 (in force 28 April 2023); earlier industry report predates this Act
South Africa	Legal, 18+, no online sale	18	–	Tobacco Products Control Act 83 of 1993 (as amended)
Sudan	Legal under tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Tobacco Control Act, 2005; Tobacco Control Regulations, 2021
Suriname	Legal in principle, 18+	18	–	Wet van 20 februari 2013 houdende regels ter beperking van het gebruik van tabak en tabaksproducten (Tabakswet)
Sweden	Legal, 18+ (EU exemption)	18	–	Lag (2018:2088) om tobak och liknande produkter; exemption from Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17 via Sweden's EU Accession Treaty (1994)
Switzerland	Legal, 18+, no strength cap	18	–	Bundesgesetz über Tabakprodukte und elektronische Zigaretten (TabPG), in force 1 October 2024
Timor-Leste	Legal under general tobacco law, 17+	17	–	Decree-Law No. 14/2016 of 8 June on the Tobacco Control Regime
Tuvalu	Legal under tobacco law, 18+	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008), as amended by the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act 2016
Uruguay	Legal, 18+, general tobacco law	18	–	Ley No. 18.256 (2008), amended by Ley No. 19.244 and Ley No. 19.723
Venezuela	Legal, 18+, general tobacco rules	18	–	Resolutions of the Ministry of Popular Power for Health: No. 030 (2011), No. 004 (2014), No. 071 (2019)

Countries where tobacco snus are legal with significant restrictions (19)

Country	Detail	Age	Cap	Legal basis
Antigua and Barbuda	Legal in principle, 18+, min. 10 g pack	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2018 (No. 17 of 2018), ss. 13, 20
Bhutan	Legal since July 2021, 18+, authorised shops	18	–	Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan 2010, as amended 2012, 2014 and 2021 (Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act 2021)
Botswana	Likely restricted under general tobacco law, 21+	21	–	Tobacco Control Act, 2021 (No. 19 of 2021), replacing the Control of Smoking Act
China	State monopoly, licence required, 18+	18	–	STMA Announcement No. 1 of 2026; Tobacco Monopoly Law
Djibouti	Likely legal, 16+ (general tobacco law)	16	–	Law No. 175/AN/07 of 2 December 2007 (tobacco control law)
Eswatini	Likely legal, 18+ (general tobacco law)	18	–	Tobacco Products Control Act, 2013, Part 4, Section 27
Ethiopia	Likely legal, 21+ (general tobacco law)	21	–	Food and Medicine Administration Proclamation No. 1112/2019, Art. 49(3)
Ghana	Covered by tobacco law; older source says permitted	18	–	Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851)
Madagascar	No specific rule; general tobacco law applies, 18+	18	–	Interministerial Order No. 18171 (2003) on industrialization, importation, marketing and consumption of tobacco products
Maldives	Legal, 21+, born before 2007 only	21	–	Tobacco Control Act (Law No. 15/2010); Law No. 23/2024 (age 21, vape ban); Law No. 6/2025 (generational ban)
Mali	Likely legal 18+ under general tobacco law	18	–	Law No. 10-033 on the Sale and Consumption of Tobacco and Tobacco Products (2010)
Montenegro	Loosely covered by general tobacco law, no detailed controls	–	–	Zakon o ograničavanju upotrebe duvanskih proizvoda (Law on Restricting the Use of Tobacco Products)
Philippines	Legal consumer product, 18+, registration required	18	–	Republic Act No. 11900 (2022)
Solomon Islands	Legal, 18+, min 30 g pack	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2010, ss. 12(1)(b), 14 and 15; Tobacco Control Regulations 2013
South Korea	Legal as tobacco, 19+, not sold	19	–	Tobacco Business Act (담배사업법), Art. 2
Tonga	Legal, 18+, min 30 g pack	18	–	Tobacco Control Act (Cap. 28.36), 2016 Revised Edition, ss. 2, 9 and 9C
Trinidad and Tobago	Legal, 18+, warnings and pack-size rules	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2009 (Chap. 30:04); Tobacco Control Regulations 2013 (amended 2019)
United States	Legal, 21+, FDA authorisation required	21	–	Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ch. IX (Tobacco Control Act); Tobacco 21 amendment of 20 December 2019
Zimbabwe	Not sold; general tobacco law applies (18+)	18	–	Public Health (Control of Tobacco) Regulations, 2002 (Statutory Instrument 264 of 2002), made under the Public Health Act

Countries where tobacco snus are sold without specific regulation (12)

Country	Detail	Age	Cap	Legal basis
Grenada	Unregulated, no tobacco control act	–	–	GDS 120:2014 Labelling of Tobacco Products (national standard)
Guinea	Older source says permitted; no age limit in law	–	–	Law No. L/2012/039/CNT Concerning the Commercialization, Consumption, Advertising and Sponsorship of Tobacco and its Derivative Products
Haiti	Unregulated, no tobacco law	–	–	–
Lebanon	Legal, largely unregulated	–	–	–
Liberia	Older source says permitted; 18+ under tobacco law	18	–	2008 Act to Prohibit the Use of Tobacco and Tobacco Products in Public Places and the Sale and Use of Tobacco and Tobacco Products by Persons Under the Age of 18 Years
Malawi	Unregulated, reportedly available	–	–	Tobacco Act (Malawi) -- governs cultivation and wholesale trade, not retail product standards
Mongolia	Unregulated, no rule found	–	–	Law of Mongolia on Tobacco Control (2005); national standards MNS 5024:2013 (cigarettes) and MNS 6274:2013 (pipe tobacco) do not address smokeless tobacco
Saint Kitts and Nevis	Unregulated, no tobacco control act	–	–	Smoking (Designated Areas) Act, 2023 (Act No. 13 of 2023) is the only tobacco-specific act listed
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Unregulated, no tobacco control law	–	–	–
Somalia	Unregulated, reported permitted	–	–	–
South Sudan	Unregulated, no tobacco law	–	–	–
Zambia	Unregulated, no specific rule	–	–	Public Health (Tobacco) Regulations, 1992 (SI No. 163 of 1992) apply to cigarettes; no provision on oral tobacco found

Countries where tobacco snus are banned for sale (59)

Country	Detail	Age	Cap	Legal basis
Albania	Banned for sale	18	–	Law No. 9636 on Health Protection from Tobacco Products (as amended to 2024)
Australia	Sale banned since 1991; import up to 1.5 kg for own use	18	–	Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023, Chapter 4 (permanent ban on certain tobacco products), continuing Consumer Protection Notice No. 10 of 1991; Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
Austria	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	TNRSG: Verbot des Inverkehrbringens von Tabak zum oralen Gebrauch und Kautabak, implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17
Bahrain	Banned (import, sale, use)	–	–	Law 8/2009 on combating smoking; Ministry of Trade and Industry Decision 58/2010
Belgium	Banned for sale (EU oral tobacco ban)	18	–	Belgian tobacco legislation implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17 (oral tobacco)
Brazil	Banned for sale and import	18	–	Resolução RDC nº 14/2012 (ANVISA); Lei nº 9.294/1996
Brunei	Sale banned (chewing tobacco ban), low confidence	18	–	Tobacco Order, 2005 (sales restrictions including chewing tobacco)
Bulgaria	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Zakon za tyutyuna, tyutyunevite i svarzanite s tyah izdeliya, Art. 31 (transposing Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17)
Croatia	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Zakon o ogranicavanju uporabe duhanskih i srodnih proizvoda, Art. 40 (transposing Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17)
Cyprus	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Protection of Health (Control of Smoking) Law of 2017 (24(I)/2017), s. 7(1)(c)(i) (implements Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17)
Czechia	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17, transposed in Czech tobacco legislation
Denmark	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Lov om tobaksvarer m.v. (ban on tobacco for oral use), implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17
Estonia	Banned for sale, small personal import	18	–	Tubakaseadus § 24 (restriction on handling smokeless tobacco products), § 31¹ (limits on bringing smokeless tobacco into Estonia); Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17
Fiji	Banned for sale	18	–	Tobacco Control Decree 2010 (Decree No. 63 of 2010), s. 18(1)
Finland	Banned for sale, 1 kg/day import	18	–	Tupakkalaki (549/2016) section 51 (sales ban on smokeless tobacco products) and section 63 (import ban with 1,000 g per day personal exemption); Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17
France	Banned for sale (EU oral tobacco ban)	18	–	Code de la santé publique, article L3512-13, implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17
Gambia	Banned for sale (Tobacco Control Act 2016)	18	–	Tobacco Control Act, 2016 (in force 17 December 2018); Tobacco Control Regulations, 2019 (in force 1 October 2019)
Germany	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Tabakerzeugnisgesetz (TabakerzG) § 11, implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17
Greece	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Law 4419/2016, Art. 15 (implements Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17); Law 3730/2008 Art. 2 (sale to minors)
Hong Kong	Banned to import and sell since 1987	18	–	Smokeless Tobacco Products (Prohibition) Regulations (Cap. 132BW), made under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance
Hungary	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17, transposed into Hungarian tobacco law
Iceland	Banned (import, sale and production)	18	–	Lög um tóbaksvarnir nr. 6/2002, 8. gr. (ban on importing, producing and selling finely ground nasal snuff and all oral tobacco except chewing tobacco)
India	Sale banned; import rules unclear	18	–	Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA); Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations 2011, reg. 2.3.4; state notifications banning gutka and chewing tobacco
Ireland	Banned for sale; import prohibited	18	–	European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 271 of 2016), implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17
Italy	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	D.Lgs. 12 gennaio 2016, n. 6, Art. 18 (implements Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17); Art. 24 (sale to under-18s)
Kazakhstan	Banned (import and sale)	21	–	Code on Public Health and the Healthcare System No. 360-VI of 7 July 2020, Art. 110(9)
Kyrgyzstan	Banned as smokeless tobacco (naswar exempted)	18	–	Law No. 121 (13 October 2021), "Protection of Health of the Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic from the Effects of Tobacco and Nicotine Consumption..."
Latvia	Banned for sale, legal to use	20	–	Tabakas izstrādājumu ... aprites likums, 3. pants (1) 1)–2): ban on placing snuff, chewing tobacco and tobacco for oral use on the market (Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17)
Lithuania	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Lietuvos Respublikos tabako, tabako gaminių ir su jais susijusių gaminių kontrolės įstatymas (I-1143), 13 straipsnis; Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17
Luxembourg	Banned for sale (EU oral tobacco ban)	18	–	Luxembourg tobacco legislation implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17 (oral tobacco)
Macau	Banned: sale (2018) and import (2022)	18	–	Law No. 5/2011 (Regime on Prevention and Control of Smoking) as amended by Law No. 9/2017 and Law No. 13/2022
Malta	Banned, including import	18	–	Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Tobacco Products Regulations 2016 (L.N. 67 of 2016), reg. 21; Tobacco (Smoking Control) Act, Cap. 315, s. 13
Mauritius	Banned for manufacture, import, distribution and sale	18	–	Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2022, issued under the Public Health Act 1925
Moldova	Reported banned for sale	18	–	Law No. 278-XVI of 14 December 2007 on tobacco control (general framework); GSTHR reports sale of snus banned
Netherlands	Banned for sale, personal use allowed	18	–	Tabaks- en rookwarenwet, implementing Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17
New Zealand	Sale banned; personal import legal, 50 g duty-free	18	–	Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990, s 54 (oral use products) and s 2 (smokeless tobacco product); s 40 (age 18)
Oman	Banned (import and sale)	–	–	Ministerial Decree No. 38/2010; Public Authority for Consumer Protection Resolution No. 256/2015 (sales ban) as amended by Resolution No. 301/2016 (penalties)
Poland	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17, transposed in the Polish tobacco act; distance selling of tobacco products banned by Art. 7f
Portugal	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Lei n.º 37/2007, de 14 de agosto, Art. 14.º (as amended by Lei 63/2017 transposing Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17)
Qatar	Banned: import, sale and distribution	18	–	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)
Romania	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17, transposed in Legea 201/2016 on tobacco products
Russia	Banned for sale since 2016, legal to use	18	–	Federal Law 15-FZ of 23 February 2013, Art. 19(8), snus ban introduced by Federal Law 456-FZ of 30 December 2015; Administrative Code Art. 14.53(2)
Singapore	Banned as prohibited smokeless tobacco	21	–	Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Prohibited Tobacco Products) Regulations under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act
Slovakia	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17, transposed in Zakon c. 89/2016 Z. z.
Slovenia	Banned for sale (EU ban), use not punished	18	–	Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17, transposed in ZOUTPI
Spain	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Real Decreto 579/2017, Art. 25 (implements Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17); Ley 28/2005 Art. 3.2 (age 18 for tobacco)
Sri Lanka	Banned (smokeless tobacco, since 2016)	21	–	Prohibited Tobacco Products Regulations, No. 1 of 2016, under the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, No. 27 of 2006
Taiwan	Banned: import prohibited, no legal sale	20	–	Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (as amended 2023); Customs prohibited-goods list for inbound passengers
Tajikistan	Banned for sale	–	–	Tajikistan's tobacco-control legislation (Law 'On Restricting the Use of Tobacco Products', as amended); exact article not independently verified
Tanzania	Banned for sale (smokeless tobacco)	18	–	Tobacco Products Regulations, 2014 (GN No. 478 of 2014), regs 3 and 9, made under the Tobacco Products (Regulation) Act, 2003
Thailand	Banned: import, sale and use prohibited	20	–	Import prohibition on smokeless tobacco products; Ministry of Finance withdrawal of permission to import chewing tobacco; Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560 (2017)
Türkiye	Banned (no licensed sale)	18	–	Law No. 4207 Art. 2(6) (tobacco products include products for sucking and chewing); Law No. 4733 (market licensing by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry)
Turkmenistan	Banned	–	–	Law of Turkmenistan 'On Protecting the Health of Citizens from the Effects of Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Product Consumption' (2013)
Uganda	Banned, incl. bringing into the country	21	–	Tobacco Control Act, 2015, s. 16(2)(c)
Ukraine	Banned for sale since July 2023, legal to use	18	–	Law 2899-IV on measures to prevent and reduce tobacco use, Art. 10(2)(8), as amended by Law 1978-IX of 16 December 2021
United Arab Emirates	Import and sale prohibited (secondary source)	18	–	Federal Law No. 15 of 2009 on Tobacco Control and its executive regulation (Cabinet Resolution No. 24 of 2013); product standards administered by MoIAT
United Kingdom	Banned for sale, legal to use	18	–	Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/507), regulation 17
Uzbekistan	Banned	–	–	Uzbekistan tobacco-control legislation (exact statute not independently verified); general framework is Law No. ZRU-844 (26 Aug 2023)
Vanuatu	Banned for sale (oral tobacco)	18	–	Tobacco Control Act No. 19 of 2008, s. 14(2)

Countries where we found no specific rule for tobacco snus (51)

Country	Detail	Age	Cap	Legal basis
Algeria	Unclear, dated source says legal	–	–	Law No. 18-11 on Health (2018) covers general tobacco control but does not specifically address smokeless tobacco.
Andorra	Unclear, no specific rule found	18	–	–
Angola	Unclear, reportedly permitted	–	–	–
Argentina	Covered by tobacco law, 18+, not sold	18	–	Ley 26.687 (2011), arts. 4 and 18
Armenia	Unclear, general tobacco law likely applies	18	–	Law on Reduction and Prevention of the Damage Caused by the Use of Tobacco Products and Substitutions for Them (2020)
Azerbaijan	Unclear, general tobacco law likely applies	18	–	Law No. 887-VQ on Restriction of Tobacco Use (2017)
Bahamas	Unclear, general tobacco law only	–	–	–
Belize	Unclear, no specific rule found	–	–	–
Benin	Unclear, general tobacco law may apply	18	–	Law No. 2017-27 (general tobacco control law)
Burkina Faso	Unclear, general tobacco law may apply	18	–	Law No. 040-2010/Concerning the Campaign Against Tobacco (Decree No. 2010-823)
Burundi	Unclear, general tobacco law may apply	18	–	Law No. 1/012 of 30 May 2018 on the Code of the Supply of Health Care and Services
Cameroon	No specific rule found; no age limit in law	–	–	Law No. 2006/018; Joint Order No. 0001/2018
Cape Verde	Unclear, general tobacco law may apply	18	–	Law No. 8/X/2022 (general tobacco control law)
Central African Republic	Unclear, no known rule	–	–	–
Chad	Unclear, general tobacco law may apply	18	–	Law No. 010/PR/2010 on Tobacco Control
Comoros	Covered by general tobacco law; unconfirmed	18	–	Law No. 11-002 (2011)
Congo	Likely covered by general tobacco law; unconfirmed	18	–	Law No. 12-2012; Order No. 2853 of 31 May 2022
Cuba	Unclear, no data found	–	–	–
Dominica	Unclear, no data found	–	–	–
Equatorial Guinea	Unclear, no product-specific rule found	–	–	Decree No. 3/1988 (26 April 1988) — general smoking restrictions, does not mention smokeless tobacco
Eritrea	Unclear, general tobacco law likely applies, 18+	18	–	Proclamation No. 143/2004, A Proclamation to Provide for Tobacco Control
Guinea-Bissau	No specific rule found	–	–	–
Iran	Unclear, no product-specific rule found	–	–	Comprehensive Act on National Control and Campaign Against Tobacco (2006), general tobacco legislation
Kiribati	Unclear, general tobacco law applies	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2013 (Act No. 1 of 2013)
Kuwait	Unclear, dated source says legal	–	–	–
Lesotho	Unclear, no comprehensive tobacco law found	–	–	Tobacco and Alcoholic Products Levy Act, 2023 (tax measure); no dedicated tobacco-control/sales-regulation act located
Libya	Unclear, dated source says legal	–	–	–
Malaysia	Unclear; no legal retail market	18	–	Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852)
Marshall Islands	Unclear, general tobacco law applies	18	–	Tobacco Control Act 2006 (P.L. 2006-68); Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act 1966
Mauritania	Reportedly permitted (2014 industry source), unconfirmed	18	–	Law No. 2018-020 concerning production, importation, distribution, sale, advertising, promotion and consumption of tobacco and its products
Micronesia	Unclear, general tobacco law applies	–	–	FSM Code Title 41 / Title 54, as amended by Public Law 6-9 (1989), 13-60 (2004), 18-69 (2014)
Monaco	Unclear, likely follows France (EU-aligned)	–	–	Law No. 1346 of 9 May 2008 on protection against smoking (as amended); Sovereign Ordinance No. 4225 of 20 March 2013 establishing the Tobacco and Matches Board
Morocco	Unclear, dated source says legal	–	–	Law No. 15-91 (smoking/advertising) and Law No. 46-02 (raw/manufactured tobacco regime) do not specifically address smokeless tobacco.
Mozambique	No specific rule; general tobacco law may apply	–	–	Decree No. 11/2007 on the Regulation of Consumption and Marketing of Tobacco (general tobacco control law); Ministerial Diploma No. 64/2021 on sealing of alcoholic drinks and manufactured tobacco
Namibia	No specific rule; general tobacco law may apply	18	–	Tobacco Products Control Act, 2010, in force 1 April 2014, and Regulations (Government Notice No. 35 of 2014)
Niger	Reportedly permitted (2014 industry source), unconfirmed	18	–	Law No. 2006-12 Concerning Tobacco Control (in force 15 May 2006; implementing regulations 2008)
North Korea	Unclear, no information	–	–	Tobacco Prohibition Law (adopted November 2020)
North Macedonia	Unclear, no specific law found	–	–	–
Palau	Unclear, general tobacco law applies	–	–	RPPL No. 8-27 (2011), comprehensive tobacco control measures aligned with WHO FCTC
Palestine	Unclear, dated source says allowed	–	–	–
Papua New Guinea	Unclear, general tobacco law applies	–	–	Tobacco Control Act 2016 (Act No. 53); Tobacco Products (Health Control) Act 1987 (Act No. 30)
Samoa	Unclear, general tobacco law applies	–	–	Tobacco Control Act 2008 (Act No. 26), as amended by Tobacco Control Amendment Act 2019 (Act No. 4); Tobacco Control (Licensing) Regulations 2020
San Marino	Unclear, likely aligned with EU/Italy via customs union	–	–	–
São Tomé and Príncipe	Unclear, no information found	–	–	Law No. 3/2014 (Tobacco Control Law), in force 17 July 2014
Saudi Arabia	Contested: sources conflict	18	–	Anti-Smoking Law (Royal Decree M/56 of 2015), Art. 2, 6 and 8; Executive Regulation 2.1, 6.1, 8.1-8.8
Syria	Unclear, dated source says legal	–	–	–
Togo	Unclear; general tobacco law likely applies (18+)	18	–	Law Concerning the Production, Sale and Consumption of Tobacco and its Derivative Products (in force 14 January 2010), implemented by five decrees and administrative orders 2012-2022
Tunisia	Unclear, dated source says legal	–	–	–
Vatican City	Unclear, no specific law found, no confirmed retail market	–	–	–
Vietnam	Unclear; recorded as banned by GSTHR	18	–	Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms 2012
Yemen	Unclear, no data found	–	–	–

Frequently asked

Why is snus banned in the EU but legal in Sweden?

Directive 2014/40/EU Article 17 bans placing tobacco for oral use on the market. Sweden negotiated a permanent exemption in its 1994 Accession Treaty. Norway is outside the EU and allows snus. Everywhere else in the EU, snus cannot be sold, but personal possession and bringing in a supply for own use is legal.

Is snus legal in the UK?

No. Sale of oral tobacco has been banned in the UK since 1992 (now regulation 17 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016). Possessing and using snus is legal, and travellers can bring a personal supply. Nicotine pouches, which contain no tobacco, are legal in the UK.

Where can I buy real Swedish snus legally?

Sale is legal in Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica and others. Outside Sweden and Norway, availability is often limited even where legal.

Can I bring snus home from Sweden?

Within the EU you can carry snus for personal use; the ban is on sale, not possession. Quantities that look commercial can be seized. Some non-EU countries (for example Singapore and Thailand) prohibit import entirely; check the travel page for your destination.

Information on SnusAtlas is compiled from legislation, government sources and reputable secondary sources, and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice. Rules change; always check the official source linked on each page before you buy, carry or ship nicotine products. Nicotine is addictive. This site is for adults only.