Lebanon

The law prohibits “smoking, lighting a tobacco product or using such a product” in nearly all enclosed public places, enclosed workplaces, and public transport. Outdoor areas of health, education, and sports facilities must also be smoke free. Because tobacco alternatives, which include e-cigarettes, are considered tobacco products, the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in these places.

The law allows hotels to designate 20 percent of their room capacity as smoking rooms. Presumably, e-cigarette use would be permitted in these rooms as well.

Resolution No. 877/2015 allows marketing promotions under certain conditions (e.g., discounts if the sales price does not fall below the minimum specified sales price). In addition, Law No. 174 prohibits nearly all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. Because tobacco alternatives, which include e-cigarettes, are considered tobacco products, these restrictions apply to e-cigarettes as well.

The law prohibits sponsorship of cultural, sport or commercial events. The law allows other forms of contributions to individuals, organizations, governments, or other types of non-commercial activities. Because tobacco alternatives, which include e-cigarettes, are considered tobacco products, these restrictions apply to e-cigarettes as well.

The law prohibits placing tobacco products at point of sale in a way that allows customers to handle them by themselves. This is interpreted to mean that tobacco product displays are permitted behind the counter, where customers cannot handle the products directly, but the visibility of products is not banned. Because tobacco alternatives, which include e-cigarettes, are considered tobacco products, these restrictions apply to e-cigarettes as well.

The law does not address e-cigarette sales via the internet. Therefore, the law is interpreted as allowing internet e-cigarette sales.

The law requires e-cigarettes to “meet excellent standards in terms of flavor” as determined by The Lebanese Tobacco and Tombac Monopoly Administration. However, as of the time of this review, the specifications are unknown. Therefore, because it is unknown whether the regulation restricts flavorings, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.

The law does not address ingredients or additives in e-cigarettes; therefore, there are no restrictions on the use of ingredients or additives in e-cigarettes.

The law prohibits the sale of any e-cigarettes without approved health warning in accordance with applicable laws. Because tobacco alternatives, which include e-cigarettes, are considered tobacco products, the warnings for tobacco products are applied to e-cigarettes. The law requires that text-only health warnings be placed on product packages covering 40% of the two widest sides. A general statement - either "Smoking kills" or "Smoking leads to fatal and serious disease" - must appear on the front 40%. An additional warning describing the health effects of tobacco use must appear on the back 40%. A total of 10 additional warnings are prescribed, and shall be rotated "in a way that guarantees its regular presence in the markets." 

The law prohibits on tobacco product packaging “any misleading element about [the] characteristics, effects, risk factors, emissions, including any expression, description or symbol implying that one tobacco product is less dangerous than another, such as ‘light’, ‘ultra light’, ‘mild’, or any other term in Arabic or any other language.” Because tobacco alternatives, which include e-cigarettes, are considered tobacco products, this applies to e-cigarette packaging as well.

The law does not address nicotine concentration levels in e-cigarettes; therefore, there is no prescribed maximum nicotine concentration.

The law does not address device requirements for e-cigarettes.

The law requires certain product disclosures in conjunction with a licensing application. Specifications that must be submitted include delivery rates, shape, length, taste, weight, packaging, container, and any other known specifications. Applicants must also submit a laboratory analysis determining nicotine content.

The law requires a retail license for the sale of e-cigarettes.

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in restaurants, nightclubs, and enclosed places. The definition of enclosed places is broad and includes healthcare, education, and cultural facilities. Because tobacco alternatives, which include e-cigarettes, are considered tobacco products, these restrictions apply to e-cigarettes as well.