Benin 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, indoor workplaces, and public transport.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits nearly all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including point of sale product display. The law does not appear to restrict unpaid depiction of tobacco products or use, and the status of advertising by conventional mail, phone, and direct person-to-person communications is uncertain. All forms of tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Rotating combined picture and text warnings are required to cover 75 percent of the front and back of tobacco product packaging. However, the Ministry of Health has not yet issued the required health warnings. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “mild” and other signs, is prohibited. Beginning in March 2022, picture and text health warnings will be required to cover 90 percent of the two main surfaces of tobacco product packaging.
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 Benin 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
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
|
|
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
Yes
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
|
Retail product display
Yes
|
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
Uncertain
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
Uncertain
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
75%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Uncertain
|
|
Front
75%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
75%
|
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
500.00
XOF
|
Total taxes
10%
|
|
In US dollars
0.90
USD
|
Total excise
8%
|
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: November 10, 2021