Last updated: December 14, 2020
Regulated Forms of Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship
Domestic TV and radio (including all broadcast media such as satellite and cable)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion on domestic TV, radio, and other broadcast media, including satellite and cable. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via domestic TV and radio, should be banned.
Domestic newspapers and magazines
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion in domestic newspapers and magazines. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via domestic newspapers and magazines, should be banned.
Other domestic print media, such as pamphlets, leaflets, flyers, posters, signs (not including print advertising at the point of sale)
Other domestic print media, such as pamphlets, leaflet, flyers, posters, signs (not including print advertising at the point of sale)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion in other domestic print media. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via other domestic print media, should be banned.
International TV and radio (including all broadcast media such as satellite and cable)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion on international TV and radio. Although the law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors, it is not clear if this restriction applies to international TV and radio. The regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via international TV and radio, should be banned.
International newspapers and magazines
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion on international newspapers and magazines. Although the law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors, it is not clear if this restriction applies to international newspapers and magazines. The regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via international newspapers and magazines, should be banned.
Internet communications
Internet communications (not sales)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via internet communications. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via internet communications, should be banned.
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via outdoor advertising, such as billboards. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via outdoor advertising, such as billboards, should be banned.
Point of sale advertising/promotion
Point of sale advertising/promotion (other than product displays)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion at the point of sale. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including at point of sale, should be banned.
Point of sale product display
The law prohibits point of sale display for tobacco products by means of self-service merchandising. This is interpreted as restricting some point of sale product display. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Some Restrictions" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including point of sale product display, should be banned.
Conventional mail
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via conventional mail. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via conventional mail, should be banned.
Telephone and cellular phone
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via telephone and cellular phone. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including via telephone and cellular phone, should be banned.
Brand marking on physical structures
Distinctive words, designs, images, logos, sounds, or colors to promote tobacco products in entertainment venues, retail outlets, on vehicles and equipment, or other physical structures (brand marking on physical structures, other than on tobacco product packaging and labeling and print material)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via brand marking, other than on tobacco product packaging and labeling. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, brand marking on products other than tobacco products, should be banned.
Free distribution of tobacco products
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via free distribution of tobacco products. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, free distribution of tobacco products should be banned.
Promotions with a tobacco product purchase
Promotional discounts, gifts, prizes, rewards to consumers in conjunction with a tobacco product purchase (e.g., buy one pack, get one free or, key chains, t-shirts, coupons, points)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via promotions with a tobacco product purchase. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, promotions with purchases of tobacco products should be banned.
Competitions associated with tobacco products
Competitions associated with tobacco products or brand names, whether requiring the purchase of a tobacco product or not
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion competitions associated with tobacco products. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including competitions associated with tobacco products, should be banned.
Direct person to person targeting of individuals
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via direct person to person targeting of individuals. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including direct person to person targeting of individuals, should be banned.
Brand stretching/trademark diversification
Non-tobacco products or services using tobacco brand names or carrying a brand logo or other brand indicia (brand stretching)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via brand stretching/trademark diversification. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, brand stretching or trademark diversification should be banned.
Reverse brand stretching or brand sharing
Tobacco products or services using non-tobacco brand names (reverse brand stretching or brand sharing)
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via reverse brand stretching or brand sharing. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit reverse brand stretching or brand sharing.
Toys that resemble tobacco products
The law prohibits “imitation products” including toys or other items or objects that imitate tobacco products or electronic smoking devices.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines on toys that resemble tobacco products.
Candy that resembles tobacco products
The law prohibits “imitation products” including sweets, snacks, or other items or objects that imitate tobacco products or electronic smoking devices.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines on candy that resemble tobacco products.
Retailer incentive programs
Retailer incentive programs (e.g., rewards to retailers for achieving certain sales volume, enhanced displays, etc.) or other payments to encourage them to sell tobacco products
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via retailer incentive programs or other payments to encourage retailers to sell tobacco products. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, the law should prohibit any retailer incentive programs or other payments to encourage retailers to sell tobacco products.
Paid placement of tobacco products in TV, film or other media
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via paid placement of tobacco products in TV, film, or other media. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including paid placement of tobacco products in media, should be banned.
Unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products in media that does not serve a legitimate purpose
Unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products in TV, film or other media that is not legitimate journalistic, artistic, or academic expression or legitimate social or political commentary
The law does not explicitly address tobacco product advertising and promotion via unpaid depiction of tobacco use or tobacco products in media that does not serve a legitimate purpose. The law does generally prohibit the advertising and promotion of the use of tobacco products by minors. Because the law does not prohibit all advertising and promotion of tobacco products, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, including unpaid placement of tobacco products in media, should be banned.
Tobacco industry sponsorship of events, activities, individuals, organizations or governments
Financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industry to events, activities, individuals or groups (e.g., groups involved in sports, the arts, politics, charitable or welfare, or other activities, or youth smoking prevention programs)
There is no ban on tobacco sponsorship. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Allowed” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco industry sponsorship should be banned.
Publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support by the tobacco industry if tobacco sponsorship is not banned
There is no ban on tobacco sponsorship or publicity of financial sponsorship or other support by the industry. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Allowed” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, all forms of tobacco industry sponsorship should be banned, but if not, all financial sponsorship or other support should be made public.
Promotion by any means that are false, misleading or deceptive
Promotion by any means that are false, misleading or deceptive or likely to create an erroneous impression about a product's characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions (covering any term, descriptor, trademark, emblem, marketing image, logo, color and figurative, or any other indicia)
The law prohibits tobacco labels from displaying any information that promotes tobacco products in a manner that is false or misleading, or the use of any terms including "light," "mild," "low tar," "ultra," "extra," or "slim". Any other text or graphic that is likely to create a false impression about the characteristics or effects of tobacco products is not permitted.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to promotion of tobacco products by means that are false, misleading or deceptive.
