Ethiopia

Note: This law has not been reviewed by our legal staff and was not relied upon for purposes of our analysis. We are providing it here for informational purposes only.

COMMENTS: Broadcasting Service Proclamation No. 533/2007 was repealed by Media Proclamation No. 1238/2021. Previously, it empowered the Broadcast Authority to license broadcasters (TV and radio), print media, and advertising agencies, among other entities and enforced compliance with tobacco advertising violations along with the Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration. 

COMMENTS: Advertisement Proclamation No. 759/2012 regulates advertising generally. It includes a provision prohibiting the advertising of illegal products and services.

COMMENTS: Regulation No. 299/2013 requires 30% text and/or picture warnings on tobacco product packs.

COMMENTS: Tobacco Control Directive No. 28/2015 governs, among other things, smoking restrictions, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, tobacco packaging and labeling, and tobacco product regulation.

This directive has been repealed by Tobacco Control Directive No. 771/2021.

COMMENTS: Food and Medicine Administration Proclamation No. 1112/2019 governs, among other things, smoke free environments, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, tobacco packaging and labeling, tobacco product regulation, protection against tobacco industry interference, tobacco-related licensing and sales, and bans the use and sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

COMMENTS: Tobacco Products Pictorial Health Warning and Labeling Directive No. 44/2019 contains detailed requirements related to packaging and labeling.

COMMENTS: Media Proclamation No. 1238/2021 regulates the media generally, including establishing the Ethiopia Media Authority as the regulatory and licensing agency. The Proclamation repeals Broadcasting Service Proclamation No. 533/2007.

COMMENTS: Tobacco Control Directive No. 771/2021 provides implementing provisions for: (1) the licensing of manufacturers, importers, and distributors, (2) mandatory disclosure and reporting requirements, (3) inspection and testing of constituents, (4) comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, (5) smoke-free provisions, (6) administrative and legal measures against non-complying products and activities, and (7) the establishment of national Tobacco Control Coordinating Body to ensure implementation of government duties by non-health sector authorities.

This directive also repeals Tobacco Control Directive No. 28/2015.