Saudi Arabia Nicotine Replacement Therapy Market Overview,2030

The nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) market in Saudi Arabia has undergone significant transformation over the past two decades, shaped by government-driven tobacco control efforts, rising health consciousness, and increasing awareness of smoking-related diseases. Historically, smoking prevalence in Saudi Arabia has been high, particularly among men, with estimates exceeding 30% in the early 2000s. Cigarette smoking dominated consumption patterns, alongside rising use of shisha (waterpipe), especially among youth and urban populations. NRT was first introduced in the Kingdom in the early 2000s, largely through multinational pharmaceutical companies offering gums and patches in pharmacies. However, widespread adoption was slow due to low awareness, cultural acceptance of smoking, and limited access to cessation programs. The market began gaining momentum after Saudi Arabia ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, leading to stricter tobacco regulations, including graphic warnings, bans on advertising, and increased taxation on tobacco products. In 2017, the government implemented a 100% excise tax on tobacco, significantly increasing cigarette prices and encouraging smokers to seek alternatives. Today, smoking prevalence remains relatively high at around 20–22%, but the growing burden of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases is fueling demand for cessation aids. The Saudi NRT market is estimated at USD 55–65 million in 2024, dominated by patches and gums, with sprays and lozenges gaining ground among urban professionals. The government’s Vision 2030 healthcare transformation strategy has further boosted NRT adoption by integrating cessation services into public healthcare facilities, making Saudi Arabia one of the largest NRT markets in the Gulf region.

According to the research report, ""Saudi Arabia Nicotine Replacement Therapy Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia Nicotine Replacement Therapy market is anticipated to add to USD 760 Million by 2025–30.Saudi Arabia offers a favorable regulatory and policy environment for nicotine replacement therapy, reinforced by its commitment to tobacco control under Vision 2030. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) regulates NRT as a pharmaceutical product, requiring approval for distribution and marketing. Government-led initiatives, including the “National Tobacco Control Program,” emphasize smoking cessation services across hospitals, clinics, and primary healthcare centers, often providing NRT at subsidized rates. The 100% excise tax on tobacco products introduced in 2017 has made smoking significantly more expensive, creating strong economic incentives for smokers to quit. Market trends highlight increasing demand for fast-acting and user-friendly products, such as sprays and lozenges, which appeal to younger consumers seeking discretion and convenience. Digital health platforms are also expanding their role in cessation, with online consultations and pharmacy delivery services becoming more accessible. Strategic opportunities lie in expanding product availability beyond pharmacies into supermarkets, hypermarkets, and e-commerce platforms, particularly as Saudi consumers show growing adoption of online shopping. Partnerships with government healthcare providers, integration with corporate wellness programs, and marketing campaigns targeting youth and women represent key growth strategies. However, challenges include the growing popularity of alternative nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn devices, which are legal in the Kingdom and marketed aggressively as harm-reduction solutions. To remain competitive, NRT companies must emphasize their clinical effectiveness, build trust through healthcare professional endorsements, and position themselves as the only medically approved route to smoking cessation, differentiating them from lifestyle-oriented alternatives.

The nicotine alternatives market in Saudi Arabia is characterized by a competitive mix of NRT, e-cigarettes, and heat-not-burn (HnB) products. NRT products including patches, gums, lozenges, and sprays are widely available in pharmacies and hospitals, with patches dominating due to physician preference in clinical cessation programs. Gums remain popular for flexible dosing, while sprays are emerging as a preferred option among younger, urban professionals who value convenience. However, since the legalization of e-cigarettes and HnB products in 2019, these alternatives have grown rapidly in popularity. E-cigarettes, widely available in vape shops and online platforms, attract younger consumers who view vaping as a modern lifestyle choice rather than a clinical intervention. Heat-not-burn devices, particularly Philip Morris’s IQOS, have also entered the Saudi market, targeting middle- and high-income smokers with a premium positioning. These alternatives pose direct competition to NRT, as many smokers perceive them as less restrictive and more enjoyable compared to pharmaceutical-based cessation therapies. Despite this, NRT retains a strong role in government-led cessation programs, where it is positioned as the gold standard for medically supervised quitting. Strategic opportunities for NRT providers lie in expanding product diversification, such as offering flavored gums and fast-acting formulations, and differentiating their products through clinical evidence and integration with healthcare services. The coexistence of NRT with rapidly expanding e-cigarette and HnB markets highlights the need for strong consumer education campaigns to reinforce the unique value proposition of NRT as a scientifically validated smoking cessation solution.

The Saudi NRT market operates under a mixed sales model, with both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription-based channels playing vital roles. OTC sales dominate the market, accounting for around 65–70% of total revenues, driven by consumer demand for accessible and convenient options such as gums, lozenges, and patches. Pharmacies across major cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, serve as the primary distribution points for OTC NRT products, with multinational brands enjoying strong recognition. Prescription-based sales, however, play an important role within public health programs, where NRT is often prescribed by physicians as part of structured cessation services. Public hospitals and healthcare centers provide NRT at subsidized rates or free of cost, particularly to Saudi citizens, in line with Vision 2030’s healthcare accessibility goals. These programs also integrate behavioral counseling, making prescription-based NRT more effective for long-term cessation. Strategic opportunities lie in strengthening OTC channels by expanding into hypermarkets and online platforms while also leveraging prescription-based models to build long-term consumer trust. Challenges include high product costs relative to tobacco alternatives and limited consumer awareness of NRT effectiveness compared to e-cigarettes. Companies can maximize growth by aligning OTC strategies with retail and e-commerce expansion while partnering with government programs to strengthen prescription-based sales. A hybrid approach balancing mass accessibility through OTC with credibility and support through prescriptions will be essential for sustained growth in Saudi Arabia’s NRT market.

Distribution of nicotine replacement therapy in Saudi Arabia is heavily dominated by offline channels, with retail pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics accounting for more than 85% of total sales. Large pharmacy chains such as Al Nahdi, White Pharmacy, and Tadawi play a central role in ensuring NRT availability across major urban centers. Hospitals and government healthcare facilities are also important distribution channels, particularly for prescription-based NRT offered as part of cessation programs. Hypermarkets and supermarkets have begun to introduce OTC NRT, but their share remains small compared to pharmacies. Online distribution, however, is growing steadily, driven by Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding e-commerce market, supported by widespread internet penetration (over 95%) and strong adoption of digital payment systems. Platforms like Nahdi Online, White Pharmacy Online, and regional e-commerce leaders such as Noon and Amazon.sa now offer NRT with home delivery, appealing to younger and tech-savvy consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated digital adoption, with telemedicine platforms increasingly integrating smoking cessation counseling and e-pharmacy services. Strategic opportunities lie in expanding digital sales through subscription models, app-based cessation programs bundled with NRT, and targeted marketing campaigns leveraging Saudi Arabia’s growing digital consumer base. While offline channels will continue to dominate due to strong consumer trust in pharmacies and healthcare providers, online distribution is expected to capture an increasing share over the next five years. Combining strong offline presence with innovative digital strategies will be critical to maximizing reach and strengthening NRT adoption in Saudi Arabia’s evolving retail landscape.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• E-cigarettes
• Heat-not-burn tobacco products
By Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• Nicotine Gums
• Nicotine Lozenges
• Nicotine Nasal Sprays
• Nicotine Pouches
• Others (Nicotine Patches, Nicotine Inhalers & Others)
By Sales Type
• Over-the-Counter (OTC)
• Prescription-Based

By Distribution Channel
• Offline
• Online
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