Bahrain Plans BD1,000 Fines and Closure for Vape Sales to Minors
Bahraini lawmakers are fast-tracking a government-drafted bill to penalize retailers selling tobacco, vapes, and electronic shishas to minors. The proposed law raises fines to BD1,000 and mandates the permanent closure of shops that repeatedly violate the age restriction.
MP Mohammed Mousa, chairman of Parliament’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee, stated that the bill aims to stop cheap tobacco and vaping products from reaching children. Mousa noted that rock-bottom prices for pod refills have made vaping highly affordable for minors.
“The sale of these products to children has become widespread, and getting hold of these products and devices has become very easy because of breaches by some shops,” Mousa told The Daily Tribune.
Escalating Penalties for Retail Violations
The proposed legislation increases the financial risk for non-compliant business owners. Under current laws, selling tobacco to minors carries a minimum fine of BD100 and temporary closure of up to three months. The new bill increases this fine tenfold.
| Penalty Metric | Current Bahraini Law | Proposed Draft Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Fine | BD100 | BD1,000 |
| Repeat Offence Penalty | Temporary closure (up to 3 months) | Permanent shop closure |
| Surveillance Requirements | None specified | Mandatory CCTV and sales record-keeping |
Mandatory Surveillance and Enforcement
To ensure compliance, the bill introduces new operational checks. Retailers must install CCTV cameras, record all sales, and preserve both footage and transaction logs for inspection by authorities when unlawful sales are suspected.
Lawyer Zainab Madan emphasized that the threat of permanent closure carries substantial weight. “The effectiveness of a penalty rests on its value, how well it matches the seriousness of the offence and its real power to deter,” Madan told The Daily Tribune. However, she warned that higher fines require stronger inspections to avoid remaining “words on paper.”
Mousa also called for a coordinated effort involving parents, schools, the Education Ministry, and community groups to address youth vaping. The draft bill has been approved by the Ministry of Justice and is currently with the Ministry of Health for final wording before parliamentary debate.
- Bahrain Plans BD1,000 Fines and Closure for Vape Sales to Minors - August 21, 2026
- Pakistan Senate Committee Approves Vape Regulation Bill - August 21, 2026
- UK: Guernsey Sets November 2026 Date for New Vape Tax - August 21, 2026
