PDF

Oman

Tobacco Control Policies

Oman became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 7, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking in indoor public places and workplaces is restricted to designated smoking rooms except in “places of worship, educational institutions, government departments, health facilities and sports settings”, which must be completely smoke free. Smoking is prohibited in all means of public transport. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: There is a ban on most forms of direct tobacco advertising as well as many forms of promotion. However, some forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, such as point-of-sale product display and retailer incentive programs, may escape the ban. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Smoked tobacco products must carry one of four authorized combined text/picture health warnings. The warning must occupy 50 percent of the front and back of the package. The law does not contain specific rotation requirements, instead stating that warnings are to be updated “as required by the public interest”. Smokeless tobacco products are banned. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light”, “mild”, and “low”, 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 Oman are below 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
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 Uncertain
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 Uncertain
% 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 2.20 OMR
Total taxes 64%
In US dollars 5.72 USD
Total excise 50%

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: July 27, 2020