Last updated: January 1, 2025
Main Policies
Sale of heated tobacco products
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes HTPs.
Use in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport
related litigation
The law bans the use of any “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes HTPs.
Advertising and promotion (excluding point of sale product display)
related litigation
The law bans the “advertisement” of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts.
The law bans the “advertisement” of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices.
Sponsorship
related litigation
Financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industry to events, activities, individuals, groups, etc. is not prohibited. However, publicity of that sponsorship is prohibited under the ban on advertising. Therefore, the law is interpreted as allowing financial contribution to events, activities, individuals, groups, or organizations, as long as the contribution is not advertised, including through the use of a corporate name.
The Radio Advertising and Sponsorship Code and the Television Programme Sponsorship Code both provide that "broadcasters should not accept sponsorship from products, services and establishments that are not acceptable for advertising . . . e.g. tobacco products." Because tobacco inserts are “not acceptable for advertising,” given that they are banned from being advertised under Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (as amended), these codes are interpreted as applying to tobacco inserts. Therefore, radio and television sponsorship are prohibited and the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
Financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industry to events, activities, individuals, groups, etc. is not prohibited. However, publicity of that sponsorship is prohibited under the ban on advertising. Therefore, the law is interpreted as allowing financial contribution to events, activities, individuals, groups, or organizations, as long as the contribution is not advertised, including through the use of a corporate name.
The Radio Advertising and Sponsorship Code and the Television Programme Sponsorship Code both provide that "broadcasters should not accept sponsorship from products, services and establishments that are not acceptable for advertising . . . e.g. tobacco products." Because devices are “not acceptable for advertising,” given that they are banned from being advertised under Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act (as amended), these codes are interpreted as applying to devices. Therefore, radio and television sponsorship are prohibited and the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
Point of sale product display
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Sale of heated tobacco products via the internet
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Sale of heated tobacco products via vending machines
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Flavors
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes HTPs. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Specified ingredients/additives
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes HTPs. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Health warnings on product packaging
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Other product packaging and labeling requirements
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Manufacturer/importer disclosure and/or notification requirements
related litigation
The law bans the import, distribution, sale, and possession of “imitation tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes HTPs. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.