Last updated: May 8, 2023
Penalties
Sales Restrictions
The law does not contain a specific penalty for violations of sales restrictions (e.g., the ban on single cigarette and vending machine sales). However, the law imposes the following penalties on anyone involved in the illicit sale of tobacco: imprisonment from two years to five years, and/or a fine of 10,000,000 to 50,000,000 Francs CFA. "Illicit trade in tobacco products" is defined as: "Any practice or conduct prohibited by law relating to the . . . distribution . . . sale or purchase of tobacco products . . . ." Therefore, this penalty applies to violations of sales restrictions.
A repeat violation is punishable by a fine of double the initial penalty.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
Violations of location-based sales restrictions are punishable by a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 Francs CFA.
A repeat violation is punishable by a fine of double the initial penalty.
Minimum Retail Package Size
Violations of the minimum retail package size are punishable by imprisonment of one to two years and/or a fine of 10,000,000 to 50,000,000 Francs CFA.
A repeat violation is punishable by a fine of double the initial penalty.
Minimum Legal Sales Age
Violations of the ban on sales to persons below the age of 18 are punishable by a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 Francs CFA.
A repeat violation is punishable by a fine of double the initial penalty.
