Kuwait arrests three for hiding e-cigarettes in food deliveries to schoolchildren

Kuwait has apprehended three individuals accused of distributing electronic cigarettes to secondary school pupils by concealing them in food deliveries, a tactic designed to circumvent parental detection, according to the Ministry of Interior. The operation followed reports of the growing prevalence of vaping products among some secondary school students.

Police traced the scheme to a grocery store where orders were received, prepared, and packaged to conceal their contents before delivery to students. The Capital Governorate Criminal Investigation Department, along with representatives from Kuwait Municipality, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, conducted the raid, arresting the first suspect during a delivery and two others at the preparation facility.

All three suspects admitted to their roles during questioning. Two suspects ran the grocery shop that prepared the orders, while the third was responsible for delivering the packages. Seized e-cigarettes and violation notices were confiscated, and legal proceedings have commenced against the suspects. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior cautioned parents to monitor deliveries and online purchases, urging them to be vigilant about their children's transactions.

The ministry emphasized the necessity of family and security authorities' cooperation in protecting minors and pledged to continue investigating individuals exploiting minors through such practices. Stricter regulations on tobacco and nicotine products are set to take effect in Kuwait on January 1, 2027, prohibiting sales to those under 21 and restricting sales through grocery shops, online platforms, and delivery services within 200 meters of educational institutions.