Eritrea

Tobacco Control Policies

Eritrea is not a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited except in designated smoking areas in most indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and public transport. The law allows smoking in public places and workplaces where the primary business is the sale of alcoholic beverages to the general public.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. The law allows unpaid depiction of tobacco use and tobacco products in TV, film or other entertainment media, and the law does not address cross-border advertising. Sponsorship by the tobacco industry is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The law requires that health warnings on tobacco products occupy a minimum of 30 percent of principal display areas. Health warnings must rotate; however, the law does not provide information on specific rotation requirements. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” 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 Eritrea are well below these recommendations.   

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities No
Private offices No
Primary and secondary schools No
Public transport No
Universities No
Restaurants No
Governmental facilities No
Bars and Pubs No
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
Point-of-sale advertising Yes
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 Uncertain
Warnings include a picture or graphic Uncertain
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 Uncertain
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 100.00 ERN
Total taxes 55%
In US dollars 6.50 USD
Total excise 45%

Sources:

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

Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2019. Available at: www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241516204. (Note: Updated tax information from Eritrea was not included in subsequent WHO reports.)

Last updated: May 15, 2020