Last updated: May 11, 2023
Sales Restrictions
Sale of single cigarettes/sticks
The law prohibits the sale of single cigarette sticks.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 in that the law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.
Sale of tobacco products via vending machines
The law prohibits vending machine sales of tobacco products.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13, the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, and FCTC Art. 16 with respect to vending machine sales.
Sale of tobacco products via the internet
The law specifically prohibits cross-border distance sales of tobacco products. In addition, the law states that products cannot be sold by using any of the “means of distance communications” referred to in the Consumer Protection Law. This specifically includes “information networks.” Therefore, all internet tobacco product sales are prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to internet sales of tobacco products.
Sale of smokeless tobacco products
The law prohibits the sale or supply of chewing tobacco, nasal tobacco, and tobacco for oral use. Therefore, the law prohibits the sale of smokeless tobacco products.
Sale of waterpipe tobacco products
The law does not specifically prohibit the sale of waterpipe tobacco; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of waterpipe tobacco.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
Schools/educational facilities
The law prohibits granting a retail sales license to an outlet that is located in indoor or outdoor areas of schools and educational facilities.
Playgrounds
The law prohibits granting a retail sales license to an outlet that is located in outdoor areas used by schools/educational facilities or intended for children under the age of 18 at certain child welfare or mental health institutions. The law is, therefore, interpreted as restricting the sale of tobacco products on playgrounds.
Stadiums/arenas
The law does not prohibit or restrict the sale of tobacco products in stadiums/arenas; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in stadiums/arenas.
Healthcare facilities
The law does not prohibit or restrict the sale of tobacco products in healthcare facilities; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in healthcare facilities.
Cultural facilities
The law does not prohibit or restrict the sale of tobacco products in cultural facilities; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in cultural facilities.
Daycare centers, family daycare homes
The law prohibits granting a retail sales license to an outlet located in the indoor areas of a daycare center or a family day care home or in the outdoor areas of a daycare center.
Retail Package Size Restrictions
Minimum number of cigarette sticks per unit package
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes in packages of fewer than 20 sticks.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 with respect to the sale of small packets of cigarettes.
Minimum weight of smokeless tobacco per unit package
The law bans the sale of smokeless tobacco.
Minimum weight of roll-your-own tobacco per unit package
The law prohibits the sale of roll-your-own in unit packages weighing less than 30 grams.
Minimum weight of pipe tobacco per unit package
The law prohibits the sale of pipe tobacco in unit packages weighing less than 30 grams.
Minimum number of cigarillos per unit package
The law prohibits the sale of cigarillos in packages of fewer than 10 cigarillos.
Retail Licensing Requirements
Specific retail license or equivalent approval required to sell tobacco products
The law requires retail traders in tobacco products to obtain a license to sell tobacco products.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 15 in that the law requires retailers to obtain a license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.
