Tobacco Monopoly Law (as amended)
COMMENTS: The Tobacco Monopoly Law was enacted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in 1991 for the purposes of managing the manufacture and business of tobacco products, increasing the quality of tobacco products, protecting consumers’ interests, and ensuring state revenue. The law permits the state to exercise monopoly control over the production, sale, import, and export of tobacco commodities, and to operate a monopoly license system. The law contains a few provisions generally requiring the prohibition or restriction of smoking in public traffic vehicles and in public places. It also requires the display of tar yields and a warning that “Smoking is Harmful to Your Health” on the packages of cigarettes and cigars. In addition, the law bans tobacco advertising on television and other broadcast media, and in newspapers and periodicals. The law has been amended several times, most recently on April 24, 2015.
