Congo became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 7, 2007.
Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in all indoor workplaces, public places, and on public transport. In addition, the law prohibits smoking in open and semi-open public places.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: There is a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, including point of sale advertising and product display. All forms of tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The law requires rotating, pictorial health warnings on at least 30 percent of the surface of tobacco product packaging. However, an administrative order detailing the exact size, location/placement, and contents of the warnings has not yet been issued. Misleading terms, such as “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 Congo 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?
Uncertain
|
|
| 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
4
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
0%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
0%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
0%
|
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
750.00
XAF
|
Total taxes
27%
|
|
In US dollars
1.35
USD
|
Total excise
11%
|
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: February 3, 2023