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Colombia

Tobacco Control Policies

Colombia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on July 9, 2008.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited on public transportation, in enclosed public places, and in enclosed workplaces, without exception. The ban includes a residence that is a place of work for others. 

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising is prohibited in all forms of media. The law also prohibits all “tobacco promotion.” Although the law does not define “promotion,” a Constitutional Court case (C-830-10) found the term to have the meaning of “tobacco advertising and promotion” as set forth in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: A warning text and accompanying image must appear on the two principal display areas (front and back) of tobacco product packages, and occupy 30 percent of each display area.  Each of the six prescribed warnings must appear on an equal number of packages of each brand each year. The Ministry of Welfare is required to update the warnings annually. Misleading terms such as “light” and “low tar” are prohibited on tobacco packaging, but other misleading packaging (e.g., colors, numbers, and symbols) is not 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 Colombia are 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? No
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 Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 6
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 30%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 30%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 30%
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 5152.00 COP
Total taxes 73%
In US dollars 1.38 USD
Total excise 57%

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: May 15, 2020