Sri Lanka

Tobacco Control Policies

Sri Lanka became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.  

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public places and workplaces and on public transport. However, smoking is permitted in smoking areas or spaces in airports, hotels having 30 rooms or more, and restaurants having a seating capacity of a minimum of 30 persons. 

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Advertising through most forms of mass media is prohibited. The law, however, allows point of sale product display. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Smoked tobacco product packages are required to have pictorial and text health warnings that cover 80 percent of the top front and back of packages and rotate every six months. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low,” is prohibited, but it is unclear if the prohibition also includes trademarks and figurative and other signs. It is prohibited to manufacture, import, or sell smokeless tobacco products.

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 Sri Lanka are 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 No
Governmental facilities Yes
Bars and Pubs No
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 Uncertain
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 80%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 80%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 80%
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 1600.00 LKR
Total taxes 67%
In US dollars 4.43 USD
Total excise 54%

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 11, 2024