Pakistan became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.
Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in all places of public work or use, and on all public transport. Smoking is permitted in hotel guest rooms. With respect to outdoor areas, smoking is prohibited in outdoor waiting areas for buses and trains. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Many forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited, including advertising on domestic TV, radio, print media, billboards, point of sale advertising and product display, direct targeting of individuals, and retailer incentive programs. Most other forms of advertising and promotion are allowed. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The Ministry of Health has issued one warning containing both a picture and text that must be placed on all cigarette packs. The warning must occupy 60 percent of the pack and be placed on the front top of the pack in Urdu and on the back top of the pack in English. (The increases in size announced in SRO 127(E)/2017 (to 50 percent and, subsequently, 60 percent) replace the 2015 notification (SRO 22(KE)/2015) that would have increased the size to 85 percent of packaging. This notification, however, was delayed several times and, ultimately, never implemented.) Health warnings are not required on smokeless tobacco products.
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 Pakistan 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
--
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
Yes
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
Yes
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
Yes
|
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
Yes
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
1
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
60%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
60%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
60%
|
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
80.00
PKR
|
Total taxes
61%
|
|
In US dollars
0.48
USD
|
Total excise
41%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021. Available at: www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/
Last updated: August 7, 2020