Lao PDR

Ministry of Health Agreement No. 1067 specifies five agencies that have a duty to conduct inspections on printing of health warnings on cigarette packs.

Article 64 of the Law on Tobacco Control states that individuals or organizations violating provisions on health warnings on tobacco product packaging shall be fined. Decree No. 52 provides that individuals or organizations that manufacture or import tobacco products that do not meet the packaging and labeling requirements will be fined 10 million kip for a first offense, 20 million kip for a second offense, and 50 million kip for each subsequent offense. In addition to a fine, third and subsequent offenses may be punishable by license suspension or revocation. Non-compliant tobacco products shall be seized and destroyed.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that it imposes increased penalties for repeat violations.

Ministry of Health Agreement No. 1067 specifies five agencies that have a duty to conduct inspections on printing of health warnings on cigarette packs.

Article 64 of the Law on Tobacco Control states that individuals or organizations violating provisions on health warnings on tobacco product packaging shall be fined. Decree No. 52 provides that individuals or organizations that manufacture or import tobacco products that do not meet the packaging and labeling requirements will be fined 10 million kip for a first offense, 20 million kip for a second offense, and 50 million kip for each subsequent offense. In addition to a fine, third and subsequent offenses may be punishable by license suspension or revocation. Non-compliant tobacco products shall be seized and destroyed.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that it imposes increased penalties for repeat violations.

Ministry of Health Agreement No. 1067 specifies five agencies that have a duty to conduct inspections on printing of health warnings on cigarette packs.

The Law on Tobacco Control (Art. 3.10) defines the "tobacco control industry" to include "tobacco manufacturers, importers and wholesale distributors." Articles 22, 23, and 24 of the law impose obligations on manufacturers, importers, and distributors to ensure that tobacco products bear the required health warnings and labels. There is no corresponding obligation for retailers. The penalties provided in Decree No. 52, however, apply only to manufacturers and importers. Thus, it appears as though there are no penalties imposed on wholesalers for violation of packaging and labeling provisions.

To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should specify a range of fines or other penalties for packaging and labeling violations, including license suspension and revocation and product confiscation. In addition, penalties should be commensurate with the severity of the violation and whether it is a repeat violation.

The Law on Tobacco Control (Art. 3.10) defines the "tobacco control industry" to include "tobacco manufacturers, importers and wholesale distributors." Articles 22, 23, and 24 of the law impose obligations on manufacturers, importers, and distributors to ensure that tobacco products bear the required health warnings and labels. There is no corresponding obligation for retailers. Therefore, retailers cannot be held liable under the law for selling tobacco products without the required warnings.

To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should impose a duty upon retailers not to sell tobacco products without the required health warnings and impose penalties for violations of this duty. The law should specify a range of fines or other penalties, including license suspension and revocation and product confiscation. In addition, penalties should be commensurate with the severity of the violation and whether it is a repeat violation.