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Georgia

Tobacco Control Policies

Georgia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 15, 2006.

Smoke Free Places: The law prohibits smoking in "any buildings and other structures.” However, the law provides several exceptions, including, but not limited to, penitentiaries, cigar bars, casinos, transit zones of airports, pre-trial detention cells, and designated areas of inpatient psychiatric facilities and palliative care facilities. The law prohibits smoking in most public transport but allows smoking in open areas of boats. 

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The law prohibits the display of tobacco products inside shops, with an exception provided for duty-free zones at airports. The law also permits reverse brand stretching. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship. 

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: On smoked tobacco products, the law requires rotating pictorial health warnings to cover 65 percent of the front and rotating text-only health warnings to cover 65 percent of the back of the pack. On smokeless tobacco products, the law requires a text-only health warning to cover 30 percent of the front and back of the pack. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light,” “mild,” and “low tar,” among others, is prohibited. Plain packaging will be required for tobacco product packaging beginning July 31, 2024.

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 Georgia are below these recommendations.   

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN
Health-care facilities Yes
Private offices Yes
Primary and secondary schools Yes
Public transport No
Universities Yes
Restaurants Yes
Governmental facilities No
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
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters) 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 6
Warnings include a picture or graphic No
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 65%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 65%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 65%
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products No
TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency 5.00 GEL
Total taxes 81%
In US dollars 1.63 USD
Total excise 64%

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: January 9, 2023