Egypt

Egypt became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 26, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in the following specified public places: health and educational facilities, governmental venues, sporting and social clubs, youth centers, and public transport. Smoking is permitted in specially designated areas in industrial establishments, tourism related establishments, and electricity production establishments.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Egypt prohibits many forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, specifically in all means of publicity, including newspapers, magazines, stationary or moving pictures, television, and radio. The law does not specifically address financial contributions and other forms of sponsorship by the tobacco industry.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Health warnings are pictorial and text and must occupy 50 percent of the front and back panels of tobacco product packaging. Misleading terms such as “light” and “low tar” are prohibited on tobacco packaging, but other misleading packaging (e.g., colors, numbers and symbols) is not prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes, nor does the law require that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents or emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the sale of single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, tobacco products based on location, or internet sales. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Law No. 52 of 1981 Concerning the Prevention of the Adverse Effects of Tobacco provides the foundation upon which subsequent tobacco legislation rests.  This principal law addresses, although briefly, smoke free policies; advertising, promotion and sponsorship; packaging and labeling; and penalties.  Law No. 85 of 2002, Law No. 154 of 2007, Decree No. 443 of 2008, and Executive Bylaw of Law No. 52 of 1981 all amend and/or build upon the comprehensive tobacco control legislation contained in Law No. 52 of 1981.  Several other laws and decrees supplement Law No. 52 of 1981 and its amending and subsequent legislation.  These laws include: Law No. 137 of 1981, a labor law which established the penalties for smoking while at work or at places of work; and Law No. 4 of 1994, an environmental law addressing smoke free policies.  In addition, Decree No. 465 of 2007, issued by the Ministry of Health and Population, established the Tobacco Control Administration as an administrative body within the Ministry.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.