New policy for nicotine products in Morocco

Starting in February 2026, Morocco will implement mandatory national standards for "smoke-free products" such as e-cigarettes, hookahs, and nicotine pouches for the first time. These standards, developed by the Moroccan National Institute for Standardization (IMANOR), aim to protect consumer rights and establish a regulated order in this previously unregulated and rapidly growing market.

This mandatory standard is understood to be based on internationally accepted guidelines, establishing clear and specific requirements regarding product ingredients, labeling, traceability, and safety performance. Wadi Madhih, president of the National Federation of Consumer Associations of Morocco (FNAC), stated in a media interview that the standard is based on two fundamental pillars: labeling and traceability.

According to Wadi Madhi, labeling is the first line of defense for consumer protection. The eleven mandatory labeling requirements, including the manufacturer's name, product ingredients, country of origin, and production date, fully guarantee consumers' right to information. He also called on the government to intensify awareness campaigns to ensure the public is fully aware of the potential harms of tobacco products and their alternatives.

It is worth noting that this is the first time Morocco has established a regulatory framework for smoke-free products. Since there are no domestic manufacturers of such products in Morocco, the standard will apply to all imported smoke-free products, which must meet various indicators established by the Moroccan Institute of Standardization to be sold on the Moroccan market.

From a legal perspective, the introduction of this new law represents an extension and improvement of the Moroccan tobacco regulatory system. Morocco had previously amended Tobacco Law No. 46-02 through Law No. 66-20, including heated tobacco products within its scope. Now, with the advent of new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, Morocco is constantly adapting its regulatory system to accommodate increasingly diverse forms of tobacco consumption. These new products are often mistakenly perceived by some consumers as "less harmful," but this perception is not necessarily correct.

Wadi al-Madhi concluded by emphasizing that the standardization of smokeless tobacco products in Morocco is not intended to "legitimize" these products, but rather to create a transparent and accountable market environment. "Advancement in standardization will ultimately help consumers choose the least harmful option from a wide range of products."