Trinidad and Tobago

Tobacco Control Policies

Trinidad and Tobago became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: The law prohibits smoking in all indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and public transport.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, with exceptions for information advertising or brand-preference advertising in certain publications and on certain signs. There are also limited exceptions for brand marking, brand stretching, and “normal” trade rebates. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The law requires rotating text and picture health warning covering at least 50 percent of the front and back surfaces of tobacco product packaging. Misleading packaging and labeling, including 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 Trinidad and Tobago 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? Yes
BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP
Domestic TV and radio Yes
Promotional discounts No
Domestic magazines and newspapers No
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 No
Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display Yes
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility Yes
Internet advertising Yes
Publicity of sponsorships Yes
Free distribution No
HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Text warnings describe health impacts Yes
Number of published warnings at any given time 8
Warnings include a picture or graphic Yes
Warnings required to rotate Required
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 50%
Warnings are written in the principal language(s) Yes
Front 50%
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling Yes
Back 50%
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 32.00 TTD
Total taxes 28%
In US dollars 4.74 USD
Total excise 16%

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: December 9, 2023