Afghanistan

Afghanistan became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on November 11, 2010.

Smoke Free Places

The law provides a list of places in which smoking is prohibited, which appears to cover most indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and means of public transport. However, designated smoking areas are permitted in airports.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. However, product display at points of sale and unpaid depiction are not prohibited under the law. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Although the law appears to require health warnings on product packaging, the current type, size, and contents of the warnings are uncertain. 

Cigarette Contents

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law does not require that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the sale of single cigarette sticks, small packets of cigarettes, or tobacco products via vending machines or based on location. It is uncertain whether the law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via the internet.  The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Tobacco Control Law 2015 is the primary source of legislation governing smoke free places; advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and packaging and labeling. The law was amended in 2018 to remove requirements around health warnings. Prior to the 2018 amendments, health warning requirements were contained in the Ministry of Public Health’s February 2016 Notice on Health Warning/Pictorial Labeling. However, following the 2018 amendments, the current status of this notice is uncertain.

Review Status

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