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Belarus

Tobacco Control Policies

Belarus became a Party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on December 7, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in educational facilities and on most public transport (except for commercial watercraft). Smoking is restricted to designated areas in most other places, including healthcare facilities, cultural facilities, sports facilities, shops, restaurants, government facilities, and public transport facilities.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. Permitted forms include reverse brand stretching, competitions associated with tobacco products, and unpaid depiction in TV, film, or other media. Product display at points of sale is prohibited except in duty-free shops. Tobacco sponsorship is allowed. However, it is unclear whether certain types of publicity of tobacco sponsorship are prohibited under the law.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: On the packaging of smoked tobacco products, rotating picture and text health warnings are required to cover 50 percent of the front and back of the packaging. The law does not require health warnings on smokeless tobacco product packaging. Instead, the law requires that smokeless tobacco products include a leaflet within the package that includes health warnings about tobacco consumption dangers. 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 Belarus are well below these recommendations.   

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities No
Private offices No
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport No
Universities Yes
Restaurants No
Governmental facilities No
Bars and Pubs No
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Yes
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts No
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
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters) Yes
Paid placement in media Uncertain
Retail product display No
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution Yes
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 12
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 50%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 50%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 50%
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 1.28 BYR
Total taxes 56%
In US dollars 0.52 USD
Total excise 39%

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/

Last updated: September 23, 2021