Egypt

Tobacco Control Policies

Egypt became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 26, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in the following specified public places: health and educational facilities, governmental venues, sporting and social clubs, youth centers, and public transport. Smoking is permitted in specially designated areas in industrial establishments, tourism related establishments, and electricity production establishments.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Egypt prohibits many forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, specifically in all means of publicity, including newspapers, magazines, stationary or moving pictures, television, and radio. The law does not specifically address financial contributions and other forms of sponsorship by the tobacco industry. 

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Health warnings are pictorial and text and must occupy 50 percent of the front and back panels of tobacco product packaging. 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 Egypt meet these recommendations. 

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices No
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport Yes
Universities Yes
Restaurants No
Governmental facilities Yes
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 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
Point-of-sale advertising Yes
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display Uncertain
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) 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 20.50 EGP
Total taxes 75%
In US dollars 1.08 USD
Total excise 70%

Sources:

SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023

Last updated: September 21, 2022