El Salvador

El Salvador became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on October 19, 2014.

Smoke Free Places

There is a comprehensive ban on smoking in indoor workplaces and indoor public places. The law prohibits smoking in all buses, in air, land and maritime terminals. However, the law restricts smoking in other forms of transportation where the point of origin and destination are within the country.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, with exceptions for point of sale advertising, product display, and adult-only promotions and events. The law does not address cross-border advertising. Sponsorship by the tobacco industry is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Combined text and picture health warnings must cover at least 50 percent of each principal display area. Rotation is required every two years. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

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

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machine, the internet, and in educational facilities, playgrounds, stadiums, healthcare facilities, cultural facilities and other specified locations. The law also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited where smoking is prohibited. There is no restriction on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Decree No. 771 on the Tobacco Control Law (as amended) is the primary source of legislation governing tobacco control in El Salvador. The decree regulates public smoking; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and tobacco packaging and labeling. Decree No. 63 on Regulation of the Law for Tobacco Control on the Regulation of the Law for Tobacco Control are the implementing regulations issued under Decree No. 771 and contain specific requirements for smoke free places; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and packaging and labeling of tobacco products, among other things. Order No. 1732 on Technical Standard for Implementation of Health Warnings for Tobacco Control (as amended by Order No. 1450) establishes further rules related to health warnings and other information required to appear on tobacco product packaging, as well as the content of no smoking signs and other required signage.

Review Status

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