Last updated: December 22, 2021
Sales Restrictions
Sale of single cigarettes/sticks
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes except in packages of 20 sticks or more. Therefore, 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 prohibits the delivery of tobacco products via remote sales. The Government interprets this prohibition as banning tobacco product sales via the internet.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to internet tobacco product sales.
Sale of smokeless tobacco products
The sale of smokeless tobacco intended for oral use, except for those products intended to be chewed, is prohibited. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
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 the sale of tobacco products in schools/educational facilities and within a prescribed distance of those facilities.
Playgrounds
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products on or near a “center for youth recreation,” which is interpreted to include 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.
Shopping malls/centers
The law prohibits tobacco shops from being located in:
- shopping malls adjacent to a self-service retail establishment which generates more than a third of its revenue from the sale of food products and whose sales area is greater than or equal to 1,000 square meters; and
- shopping centers, except those made up exclusively of local shops serving mainly or entirely the residents of a municipality or one of its districts.
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 sale of tobacco for oral use is prohibited. The law does not specify a minimum weight requirement for other types of smokeless tobacco products.
Minimum weight of fine-cut tobacco per unit package
The law prohibits the sale of fine-cut tobacco intended for rolling cigarettes (roll-your-own) in packages containing fewer than 30 grams.
Retail Licensing Requirements
Specific retail license or equivalent approval required to sell tobacco products
Tobacco sales are monopolized by the national government. The law requires that tobacco retailers enter into a contract with the government to operate as either an ordinary tobacco store or a specialist tobacconist. Contracts are valid for a period of three years.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 15 in that the law requires retailers to obtain a license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.
