Moldova became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 4, 2009.
Smoke Free Places: The law prohibits smoking in all enclosed and semi-enclosed public places and workplaces as well as all public places managed by healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and local public authorities. Designated smoking areas are permitted in semi-open places, which are defined as any place that is less than 50 percent enclosed. Smoking is prohibited on all means of public transportation, including taxis. With respect to outdoor places, the law prohibits smoking at amusement parks; children’s playground; and in outdoor areas managed by healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and central and local authorities. The law also prohibits smoking within 10 meters of an entrance to an enclosed public place, including windows or air intake units.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: There is a ban on nearly all direct and indirect forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Packaging of cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, and waterpipe tobacco must bear a pictorial health warning covering 65 percent of the front and back of each pack. The 14 available warnings are displayed in sets of seven which rotate annually. In addition, two of the lateral sides must contain a general text warning taking up 30 percent of each lateral side. For other smoked tobacco products, a general warning must be printed on 30 percent of the most visible surface, while the text warning must be printed covering 40 percent of the next most visible surface. Misleading packaging and labeling, which includes terms such as “light” and “medium” 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 Moldova 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
|
|
Point-of-sale advertising
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
7
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
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
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
40.00
MDL
|
Total taxes
65%
|
|
In US dollars
2.07
USD
|
Total excise
49%
|
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: February 19, 2022