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Bolivia

Tobacco Control Policies

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places, workplaces, and on means of public transport. The law also prohibits smoking in a number of outdoor places, including outdoor areas of government facilities, hotels and lodging, facilities where sporting and cultural events are held, and recreation areas for children and adolescents.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law generally prohibits direct and indirect advertising and promotion of tobacco products, with an exception for advertising at the point of sale where the advertising is not visible from outside of the shop, is restricted to persons over the age of 18, and is only available upon request. Point of sale product display is restricted to displays that are not directly accessible to consumers. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: On smoked tobacco products, combined picture and text health warnings are required to be displayed on at least 50 percent of the front and back surfaces. Currently, there are no health warnings prescribed for smokeless tobacco products. When Law No. 1280 is fully implemented, health warnings consisting of images and warning phrases to be displayed on at least 60 percent of the main surfaces (front and back) of all tobacco product packaging. Manufacturers will have up to one year from publication of the new health warnings to comply with these requirements. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “smooth” 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 Bolivia 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) No
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 Yes
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 8
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) No
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 12.00 BOB
Total taxes 36%
In US dollars 1.74 USD
Total excise 24%

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 14, 2022