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: Standardized packaging is required for all available tobacco products. Smoked tobacco products must display combined text/picture health warnings covering 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, which could include 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 well below these recommendations.