Rwanda became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on January 17, 2006.
Smoke Free Places: The law prohibits smoking in all indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and on public transport, but permits the owner or manager of the premises to create a designated smoking area within the premises. Designated smoking areas must meet certain technical requirements, including separate ventilation.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising is generally allowed. However, free distribution of tobacco products and brand stretching are prohibited. Tobacco industry sponsorship of cultural and sporting events is prohibited; other forms of tobacco industry sponsorship are not prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The law requires text-only health warnings to cover 30 percent of the front and back surfaces of all tobacco product packaging and labeling. There is only one prescribed warning, and thus no rotation of messages. Misleading terms such as “light” and “low tar” are prohibited on packaging, but other misleading packaging (e.g., colors, numbers, and symbols) is not 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 Rwanda are well below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
No
|
Private offices
No
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
No
|
Public transport
No
|
|
Universities
No
|
Restaurants
No
|
|
Governmental facilities
No
|
Bars and Pubs
No
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
No
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
No
|
Promotional discounts
No
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
No
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
No
|
|
Outdoor advertising
No
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
No
|
|
Point-of-sale advertising
No
|
Paid placement in media
No
|
|
Retail product display
No
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
No
|
|
Internet advertising
No
|
Publicity of sponsorships
No
|
|
Free distribution
Yes
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
1
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
No
|
Warnings required to rotate
Not Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
30%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
30%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
30%
|
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
1000.00
RWF
|
Total taxes
64%
|
|
In US dollars
0.97
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: March 10, 2020