Barbados

Tobacco Control Policies

Barbados became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 1, 2006.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport. Public place is defined broadly in the law to include any building owned or operated by the government, workplaces, and cultural sites.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship generally are allowed. The law does prohibit, however, advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors and advertising that is false and misleading.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Health warnings are pictorial and text; must cover 60 percent of the front and back of packages; and must be rotated every 12 months. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

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 Barbados 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 Yes
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Yes
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio No
Promotional discounts No
Domestic magazines and newspapers No
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names No
Outdoor advertising No
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names No
Point-of-sale advertising No
Paid placement in media No
Retail product display No
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility No
Internet advertising No
Publicity of sponsorships No
Free distribution No
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 1
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 60%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 60%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 60%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products Yes
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 16.80 BBD
Total taxes 43%
In US dollars 8.40 USD
Total excise 28%

Sources:

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

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023

Last updated: December 14, 2020