Namibia

Namibia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 5, 2006.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in virtually all indoor public places and indoor workplaces, and on all means of public transportation. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas including: (1) outdoor areas of private dwellings used for any commercial childcare activity or for schooling or tutoring; and (2) outdoor areas a distance of two meters from windows, ventilation inlets, and entrances and exits of public places and workplaces.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship 

Nearly all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. The law, however, allows point of sale product display.  There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Rotating health warnings are comprised of text and pictures and cover 50 percent of the front and 60 percent of the back of packages. The use of misleading terms, descriptors, and other signs that directly or indirectly creates an impression that one tobacco product is less harmful than another on tobacco product packaging is banned. Qualitative statements on constituents and emissions are required. However, the law also requires that the emission yields such as tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide be displayed on tobacco product packaging and this may mislead consumers into believing one tobacco product is safer than another.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law grants the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes; however, no subsequent regulations have been issued. The law does not require that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents or emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of small packets of cigarettes and restricts vending machine sales of tobacco products to locations that are not accessible to persons under the age of 18. However, there are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via the internet.  In addition, the sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Tobacco Products Control Act of 2010 is the primary tobacco control law in Namibia and regulates, among other things, smoke free places, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and tobacco packaging and labeling. Regulations under the Tobacco Products Control Act, Government Notice No. 35 of 2014 sets out implementing details for tobacco product health warnings, signage at the point of sale, product regulation measures, prohibited distance of smoking tobacco products from public places and workplaces, and measures to prevent illicit trade in tobacco products, among other things.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts were consulted for the review.