Syria became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.
Smoke Free Places: While the law prohibits smoking in some workplaces, designated smoking areas are allowed in a number of these workplaces, and smoking is not prohibited in private workplaces. The law also prohibits smoking in many indoor public places; however, there are some exceptions where designated smoking areas are allowed. The law prohibits smoking in all means of public transport. However, designated smoking areas are permitted in public transport facilities.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most direct and indirect forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. The law does not address sponsorship.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The law requires that a text-only health warning covers 30 percent of the front of the package. Misleading terms such as “light” and “low” are prohibited on tobacco 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 Syria are well 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
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
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
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
500.00
SYP
|
Total taxes
42%
|
|
In US dollars
0.40
USD
|
Total excise
20%
|
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 Syria.)
Last updated: June 27, 2023