Table 1

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) and waterpipe (WP) policies in 12 countries selected for FCTC impact assessment

Country
(WHO region)
FCTC ratificationSLTWP
Kenya
(AFR)
2004
  • No SLT-specific regulation; however, national tobacco control laws apply to all tobacco products.

  • Pictorial health warnings required on 30% front/50% back.

  • Comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

  • Complete provisions on banning sales to minors, including all provisions under FCTC article 16.1

  • Ban on import, manufacture, sale, use, advertising, promotion and distribution of shisha (under legal challenge as of June 2018).

Madagascar
(AFR)
2004
  • Pictorial warnings on 50% (front)/50% back of package (snuff).

  • Text warning on 50% (back) of package (chewing tobacco).

  • Comprehensive ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

  • Impose ad valorem excise and value added tax/sales tax on chewing tobacco.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

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  • WP tobacco is not available in the national market.

Brazil
(AMR)
2005
  • Legal sale is only permitted if retailer is registered with Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency. No retailers are registered as of June 2018.

  • Any products registered for sale would be subject to provisions of national tobacco control laws, including mandated health warnings.

  • Ban on use of WP in enclosed common areas.

  • Advertising of WP banned except display at place of sale (text/pictorial warning required on 30% of one surface of display stand/sample case).

  • Text warning required on 30% front and pictorial health warnings required on 100% back of WP tobacco package.

Uruguay
(AMR)
2004
  • No SLT-specific regulation; however, national tobacco laws apply to all tobacco products, including mandated pictorial health warnings on 80% front/80% back.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

  • No WP-specific regulation; however, national tobacco laws apply to all tobacco products.

Pakistan
(EMR)
2004
  • Use is prohibited at places of public work or use, and in public transport vehicles.

  • Ban on print, electronic and outdoor media advertising of tobacco and tobacco products.

  • Ban on free goods, cash rebates, free samples discount or goods below market value offered for the purpose of advertisement of tobacco and tobacco products.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

  • Ban on sale and storage within educational institutions and within 50 m of boundary of educational institutions.

  • Use is prohibited at places of public work or use, and in public transport vehicles.

  • Ban on import of shisha (tobacco and non-tobacco) and related substances.

  • Ban on print, electronic and outdoor media advertising of tobacco and tobacco products.

  • Ban on free goods, cash rebates, free samples, discount or goods below market value offered for the purpose of advertisement of tobacco and tobacco products.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

  • Ban on sale and storage within educational institutions and within 50 m of boundary of educational institutions.

Turkey
(EUR)
2004
  • No SLT products are licensed for sale.

  • Single text warning required on 65% front/65% back.

  • SLT products are included in definition of tobacco products in national tobacco control law.

  • Impose excise duty (ad valorem and specific) and value added tax on chewing tobacco and snuff.

  • Combined pictorial/text warnings required on 65% (front) and 65% (back) of WP tobacco and front and back surface of WP water bowl/bottle.

  • National tobacco control law includes WP (and non-tobacco WP) in definition of tobacco products.

  • Use of WP banned in all indoor public places, workplaces and forms of public transport.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

  • Impose excise duty (ad valorem and specific) and value added tax on WP tobacco.

Iran (Islamic Republic of)
(EMR)
2005
  • Ban on sale and import of SLT products.

  • Ban on use of WP in public places.

  • Licence required for supply and sale.

UK
(EUR)
2004
  • Ban on sale of oral tobacco (excluding chewing tobacco).

  • Regulated under The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 in accordance with the EU Tobacco Products Directive.

  • Single text health warning required on 30% front/30% back.

  • Impose specific excise tax on chewing tobacco.

  • No WP-specific legislation; however, The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 cover all tobacco products.

  • Requires combined pictorial/text warning on the front and back of the pack of WP tobacco.

  • Impose specific excise tax on WP tobacco.

Bangladesh
(SEAR)
2004
  • Pictorial health warnings required on 50% front/50% back.

  • National tobacco law applies to all sucked or chewed tobacco products.

  • Impose ad valorem excise and value added tax/sales tax on chewing tobacco.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

  • National tobacco control law applies to tobacco products which can be inhaled through smoking.

  • Pictorial health warnings required on 50% front/50% back of WP tobacco.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

Sri Lanka
(SEAR)
2003
  • Ban on manufacture, sale and import of SLT.

Philippines
(WPR)
2005
  • Pictorial health warnings required on 50% front/50% back.

  • National tobacco law applies to tobacco products for the purposes of sniffing, sucking or chewing.

  • Complete provisions on banning sales to minors, including all provisions under article 16.1

  • Impose specific excise on chewing tobacco.

  • Subnational policies in place.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

Republic of Korea
(WPR)
2005
  • Combined text/pictorial health warnings required on at least 50% front/50% back (Pictorial >30%).

  • Ban on national TV and radio ads, international TV and radio, billboard and outdoor advertising, internet advertising.

  • Health promotion fund and specific excise tax imposed on chew, snuff and snus imposed on SLT.

  • Impose specific excise and value added tax/sales tax to snus.

  • Ban on sales to minors.

  • Combined text/pictorial health warnings required on at least 50% of the package (Pictorial >30%).

  • National smoke-free law applies to WP.

  • Health promotion fund and specific excise tax imposed on WP tobacco.

  • Ban on sales to minors.