Gabon

Tobacco Control Policies

Gabon became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 21, 2009.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public places, workplaces, and on means of public transport, except the law requires that designated smoking areas be created within certain places, including maritime and rail transport; airports; bus terminals, river terminals, maritime and rail terminals; hotels, beverage shops, discothè€ques, nightclubs, casinos, restaurants and supermarkets.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law bans most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. However, tobacco advertising and promotion is allowed within establishments selling tobacco products. All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The law requires two combined text and picture health warnings to be displayed on 60 percent of the front and 65 percent of the back of each smoked tobacco product package. An Executive Order prescribing the health warnings has not yet been issued.

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 Gabon are well below these recommendations.   

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices No
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport No
Universities Yes
Restaurants No
Governmental facilities Yes
Bars and Pubs No
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
Point-of-sale advertising 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 2
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 62.5%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 60%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 65%
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 1000.00 XAF
Total taxes 39%
In US dollars 1.55 USD
Total excise 20%

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 17, 2019