Last updated: February 6, 2024
Penalties
Sales Restrictions
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
Any person who sells tobacco products by vending machine shall be subject to imprisonment from 1 to 6 months and a fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 francs CFA, or to one of these two penalties. In addition, the products and means of distribution (vending machine) shall be confiscated and the establishment shall be temporarily or permanently closed. Although internet sales and the sale of single cigarettes are banned, it is not clear from the law what penalties apply to violations.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
Violations of the ban on the sale of tobacco products within or in the vicinity of schools are punishable by a fine of 200,000 francs CFA. In the case of a repeat offense, the fine is doubled.
Minimum Retail Package Size
Although the law prohibits the sale of cigarettes in packages of less than 20, it is unclear what penalties apply for violations of this provision.
Minimum Legal Sales Age
(e.g., seizure of the product, publication of the violation/violator)
Any person who sells, or causes to be sold, tobacco products to a person under the age of 18 is subject to imprisonment from 1 to 6 months and a fine of 50,000 to 250,000 francs CFA, or one of these two penalties. In addition, the products sold or offered for sale shall be confiscated and destroyed.
