Sierra Leone became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on August 20, 2009.
Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in indoor workplaces, indoor public places, and public transport. Smoking is prohibited in some outdoor places, including within 10 meters of a window, door, or air intake mechanism of an enclosed public place, work place, waiting area or queue; within 10 meters of a place of service or consumption of foods or drinks; and within 10 meters of a place where there are children and young persons.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: There is a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion. Tobacco sponsorship of events and activities is prohibited, while tobacco sponsorship of individuals and organizations may be allowed. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Every tobacco product package must carry a combined picture/text warning covering not less than 90 percent of each principal display area (front and back). The law does not specify rotation requirements. Misleading packaging and labeling, which could include terms such as “light” and “low tar” 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 Sierra Leone 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?
No
|
|
| 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
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
13
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Uncertain
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
90%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
90%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
90%
|
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
6000.00
SLL
|
Total taxes
23%
|
|
In US dollars
0.62
USD
|
Total excise
4%
|
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/ (Note: The 2023 WHO report did not contain updated tax information for Sierra Leone.)
Last updated: July 29, 2023