Afghanistan

Tobacco Control Policies

Afghanistan became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on November 11, 2010.

Smoke Free Places: The law provides a list of places in which smoking is prohibited, which appears to cover most indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and means of public transport. However, designated smoking areas are permitted in airports.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. However, product display at points of sale and unpaid depiction are not prohibited under the law. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Although the law appears to require health warnings on product packaging, the current type, size, and contents of the warnings are uncertain.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Afghanistan are well below these recommendations.

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices Yes
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport Yes
Universities Yes
Restaurants Yes
Governmental facilities Yes
Bars and Pubs --
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Yes
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts Yes
Domestic magazines and newspapers Yes
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names Yes
Outdoor advertising Yes
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names Yes
Point-of-sale advertising Yes
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display No
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution Uncertain
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Uncertain
Number of published warnings at any given time Uncertain
Warnings include a picture or graphic Uncertain
Warnings required to rotate Uncertain
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 0%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 0%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 0%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products Uncertain
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 30.00 AFN
Total taxes 21%
In US dollars 0.39 USD
Total excise 0%

Sources:

SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021. Available at: www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/ (Note: The 2023 WHO report did not include updated tax information for Afghanistan.)

Last updated: December 20, 2019