Tobacco Use Among Saudi Adolescents: A Growing Concern

Strategic Insights -

Saudi Arabian adolescents are particularly vulnerable to tobacco use, with an overall prevalence of 8.8% reported in the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in 2022. The study found that 7.5% of female participants and 10% of male participants use tobacco products. Factors such as age and lower spending were significantly associated with higher evidence of smoking among youth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Research conducted by Minufiya University and published in BMC Public Health in 2025 found that 8.8% of Saudi Arabian adolescents aged 13-15 years use tobacco products.
  • The study used data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in 2022, which found that 7.5% of female participants and 10% of male participants use tobacco products.
  • Factors such as age and lower spending were significantly associated with higher evidence of smoking among youth.
  • The study concluded that increased efforts are needed to address the harmful health and social impacts of smoking among adolescents in Saudi Arabia, including educational health campaigns targeting adolescents at their schools or in public places and mass gatherings.
  • Authors of the study included Mervat M. El Dalatony, Ahmed A. Elkhobby, Mosa A. Shubayr, Sarah S. Monshi, Abdulmohsen H. Al-Zalabani, Eman D. El Desouky, Shaikha K. Aldukhail, Mohammed M. Alqahtani, Anwar S. Alhazmi, and Mohammed S. Aldossary.

Statistics:

  • 8.8% of Saudi Arabian adolescents aged 13-15 years use tobacco products (BMC Public Health, 2025).
  • 7.5% of female participants and 10% of male participants use tobacco products (BMC Public Health, 2025).
  • Age and lower spending are significantly associated with higher evidence of smoking among youth (P < 0.05).
  • 2022: year in which the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) was conducted in Saudi Arabia.

Sources:

  • Prevalence and predictors of tobacco use among Saudi adolescents: the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2022. BMC Public Health, 2025,25(1):1-12. (BMC Public Health - http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)
  • NewsRx. Minufiya University Researchers Highlight Research in Public Health [Prevalence and predictors of tobacco use among Saudi adolescents: the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2022]. Health & Medicine Week. September 5, 2025; p 2426.