Belarus

Decree No. 28 of 2002 prohibits the sale of cigarettes individually and from open consumer packaging.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 in that the law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.

Decree No. 28 of 2002 prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products through vending machines.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13, the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, and FCTC Art. 16 with respect to vending machines sales of tobacco products.

Decree No. 28 of 2002 prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products through the internet.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to internet sales of tobacco products.

Smokeless tobacco products are not produced locally in Belarus. However, smokeless tobacco products are imported into Belarus; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of smokeless tobacco products.

The law does not specifically prohibit the sale of waterpipe tobacco; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of waterpipe tobacco.

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in schools/educational facilities.

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in physical training and sports facilities. Because it is uncertain whether playgrounds would be considered physical training or sports facilities, the regulatory status code, "Uncertain," is given.    

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in physical training and sports facilities.

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in healthcare facilities.

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in cultural facilities, including in theaters.

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products through trade fairs, auctions, trading places in markets, commission trade, and trade outside of the trading sites. In addition, the law prohibits peddling, with the exception of duty-free sales on board international flights.

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in specialized stores (including departments/sections of other stores) in which goods for children and adolescents are sold.

The sale of tobacco products is restricted to specific “trade departments” in stores and pavilions with retail space of 1,000 or more square meters.

The law does not require a minimum number of cigarette sticks per unit package.

To align with FCTC Art. 16, the law should prohibit the sale of small packets of cigarettes which increase the affordability to minors.

The law does not require a minimum weight per unit package of smokeless tobacco.

Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs engaged in the retail trade of tobacco products must be registered in the Republic of Belarus and possess a special permit (license).

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 15 in that the law requires retailers to obtain a license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.