Last updated: May 20, 2025
Regulated Forms of Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship
Domestic TV and radio (including all broadcast media such as satellite and cable)
The law prohibits the advertising and promotion of tobacco products on domestic TV and radio.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion on domestic TV and radio.
Domestic newspapers and magazines
The law prohibits the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products and specifically prohibits advertising in newspapers. Therefore, tobacco advertising and promotion in domestic newspapers and magazines is prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion in domestic newspaper and magazines.
Other domestic print media, such as pamphlets, leaflets, flyers, posters, signs (not including print advertising at the point of sale)
Other domestic print media, such as pamphlets, leaflet, flyers, posters, signs (not including print advertising at the point of sale)
The law prohibits the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products “on posters, including large-format posters.” This is interpreted as prohibiting tobacco advertising and promotion in all domestic print media, such as pamphlets, leaflets, flyers, posters, and signs.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion in domestic print media.
International TV and radio (including all broadcast media such as satellite and cable)
The law prohibits advertising or promotion of tobacco products on TV and radio. However, the law does not explicitly address international or cross-border TV and radio. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should explicitly prohibit tobacco advertising and promotion on international or cross-border TV and radio.
International newspapers and magazines
The law prohibits the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products and specifically prohibits advertising in newspapers. However, the law does not explicitly address international or cross-border newspapers and magazines. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should explicitly prohibit tobacco advertising and promotion in international newspapers and magazines.
Internet communications
Internet communications (not sales)
The law prohibits the advertisement and promotion of tobacco products “in the media of informational services,” which includes internet communications.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion via internet communications.
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
The law prohibits tobacco advertising and promotion “on posters, including large-format posters,” which is interpreted as including billboards and other outdoor advertising.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion via outdoor advertising.
Point of sale advertising/promotion
Point of sale advertising/promotion (other than product displays)
The law prohibits tobacco advertising and promotion “in public places,” which is interpreted to include points of sale. Therefore, point of sale advertising and promotion is prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to point of sale tobacco advertising and promotion.
Point of sale product display
The law prohibits a “self-service system” of retail sale of tobacco products, except at duty-free stores. This is interpreted as prohibiting the placement of tobacco products within direct reach of consumers, but not necessarily prohibiting product display. There are no other restrictions on point of sale product display.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit point of sale product display.
Conventional mail
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “promotion of tobacco products” includes “public distribution of tobacco products” and “other forms of public encouragement to purchase or use [tobacco products], regardless of the form in which they reach the consumer.” Given this definition, the ban on advertising and promoting tobacco products is including conventional mail.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion via conventional mail.
Telephone and cellular phone
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “promotion of tobacco products” includes “public distribution of tobacco products” and “other forms of encouragement to purchase or use [tobacco products], regardless of the form in which they reach the consumer.” Given this definition, the ban on advertising and promoting tobacco products is interpreted as including telephone and cellular (mobile) phone.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion via telephone and cellular (mobile) phone.
Brand marking on physical structures
Distinctive words, designs, images, logos, sounds, or colors to promote tobacco products in entertainment venues, retail outlets, on vehicles and equipment, or other physical structures (brand marking on physical structures, other than on tobacco product packaging and labeling and print material)
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “tobacco advertising” includes “the dissemination of . . . brand images of tobacco products . . . or symbols related to them” and “dissemination of names or graphic symbols of entities producing tobacco products.” Given this definition, the ban on tobacco advertising and promotion is interpreted as including brand marking.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to brand marking.
Free distribution of tobacco products
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “promotion of tobacco products” includes “public distribution of tobacco products” and “the organization of tastings of tobacco products.” Given this definition, the ban on promoting tobacco products is interpreted as banning the free distribution of tobacco products.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines and meets FCTC Art. 16 with respect to free distribution of tobacco products.
Promotions with a tobacco product purchase
Promotional discounts, gifts, prizes, rewards to consumers in conjunction with a tobacco product purchase (e.g., buy one pack, get one free or, key chains, t-shirts, coupons, points)
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “promotion of tobacco products” includes “the organization of the premium sale of tobacco products . . . or competitions based on their purchase and other forms of public encouragement to purchase or use [tobacco products]” and “offering tobacco products to consumers at a discount from the price printed on the unit single package.” Given this definition, the ban on promoting tobacco products is interpreted as including promotions with a tobacco product purchase.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to promotion with a tobacco product purchase.
Competitions associated with tobacco products
Competitions associated with tobacco products or brand names, whether requiring the purchase of a tobacco product or not
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “promotion of tobacco products” includes “the organization of . . . competitions based on [tobacco product] purchase and other forms of public encouragement to purchase or use [tobacco products].” Given this definition, the ban on promoting tobacco products is interpreted as banning all promotion with a tobacco product purchase.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to competitions associated with tobacco products.
Direct person to person targeting of individuals
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “promotion of tobacco products” includes any “other forms of encouragement to purchase or use [tobacco products], regardless of the form in which they reach the consumer.” Given this definition, the ban on promoting tobacco products is interpreted as including direct person-to-person targeting of individuals.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to tobacco advertising and promotion via direct person-to-person targeting of individuals.
Brand stretching/trademark diversification
Non-tobacco products or services using tobacco brand names or carrying a brand logo or other brand indicia (brand stretching)
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “tobacco advertising” includes “the dissemination of . . . brand images of tobacco products . . . or symbols related to them” and “dissemination of names or graphic symbols of entities producing tobacco products.” Given this definition, the ban on tobacco advertising and promotion is interpreted as including brand stretching.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to brand stretching.
Reverse brand stretching or brand sharing
Tobacco products or services using non-tobacco brand names (reverse brand stretching or brand sharing)
The law does not address reverse brand stretching. Therefore, the law is interpreted as allowing reverse brand stretching.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should explicitly prohibit reverse brand stretching.
Toys that resemble tobacco products
The law does not specifically address the manufacture or sale of toys that resemble tobacco products. However, the law prohibits the advertising and promotion of “products imitating tobacco products.” Therefore, although toys resembling tobacco products may be manufactured and sold, they may not be advertised or promoted. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the manufacture and sale of toys that resemble tobacco products.
Candy that resembles tobacco products
The law does not specifically address the manufacture or sale of candy that resembles tobacco products. However, the law prohibits the advertising and promotion of “products imitating tobacco products.” Therefore, although candy resembling tobacco products may be manufactured and sold, it may not be advertised or promoted. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the manufacture and sale of candy that resembles tobacco products.
Retailer incentive programs
Retailer incentive programs (e.g., rewards to retailers for achieving certain sales volume, enhanced displays, etc.) or other payments to encourage them to sell tobacco products
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The definition of “promotion of tobacco products” includes any “other forms of encouragement to purchase or use [tobacco products], regardless of the form in which they reach the consumer.” It could be argued that retailer incentive programs fall under the category of “forms of encouragement to purchase or use tobacco products” and should therefore be prohibited. However, because the law does not explicitly address retailer incentive programs, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should explicitly prohibit retailer incentive programs.
Paid placement of tobacco products in TV, film or other media
The law prohibits advertising and promotion of tobacco products, including in TV and cinema. The definition of “tobacco advertising” includes “the dissemination of . . . brand images of tobacco products . . . or symbols related to them” and “the dissemination of the names or graphic symbols of entities producing tobacco products . . . promoting the brands of tobacco products.” Given this definition, the ban on tobacco advertising and promotion is interpreted as including paid placement of tobacco products in TV, film, and other media.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to paid placement of tobacco products.
Unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products in media that does not serve a legitimate purpose
Unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products in TV, film or other media that is not legitimate journalistic, artistic, or academic expression or legitimate social or political commentary
The law does not specifically address unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products in media. Therefore, the law is interpreted as allowing unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products in TV, film, and other entertainment media.
Tobacco industry sponsorship of events, activities, individuals, organizations or governments
Financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industry to events, activities, individuals or groups (e.g., groups involved in sports, the arts, politics, charitable or welfare, or other activities, or youth smoking prevention programs)
The law prohibits tobacco sponsorship of “sport, cultural, educational, health, sociopolitical activities.” The definition of “sponsorship” includes the financial support of activities of individuals and groups “related to the display of names of tobacco products” and manufacturers. However, this would not preclude financial support of activities and individuals without the display of the name of a tobacco product or manufacturer. Further, the law is silent regarding “corporate social responsibility” campaigns. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit all tobacco industry sponsorship, including tobacco industry sponsorship of events, activities, individuals, organizations, and governments.
Publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industry if tobacco sponsorship is not banned
Some forms of tobacco sponsorship may be permitted under the law. However, the law generally prohibits all tobacco advertising, which would include publicity of tobacco sponsorship of individuals or organizations. Therefore, publicity of tobacco sponsorship is banned.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to publicity of tobacco sponsorship.
Promotion by any means that are false, misleading or deceptive
Promotion by any means that are false, misleading or deceptive or likely to create an erroneous impression about a product's characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions (covering any term, descriptor, trademark, emblem, marketing image, logo, color and figurative, or any other indicia)
The law provides a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, which would include all promotion by means that are false, misleading, deceptive, or likely to create an erroneous impression. In addition, the law prohibits all packaging and labeling that creates a false impression about the characteristics of the product and its health effects.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to promotion by any means that are false, misleading, deceptive, or likely to create an erroneous impression.
