Last updated: February 2, 2021
Sales Restrictions
Sale of single cigarettes/sticks
The law prohibits the sale of single cigarette sticks.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 in that the law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.
Sale of tobacco products via vending machines
The law prohibits vending machine sales of tobacco products.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13, the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, and FCTC Art. 16 with respect to vending machine sales.
Sale of tobacco products via the internet
The Tobacco Act prohibits retail trade in tobacco products through domestic and cross-border distance sales. Further, Sec. 31^2 of the Tobacco Act prohibits bringing tobacco products to Estonia through “distance sale.” “Distance sale” is defined in the Tobacco Act, and by reference to the Law of Obligations Act, as a sale where the consumer and seller are located in different places. The prohibition on tobacco product distance sales is interpreted as banning tobacco product internet sales.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to internet tobacco product sales. For greater clarity, however, the law should clearly state that internet sales of tobacco products are prohibited.
Sale of smokeless tobacco products
The law prohibits the sale of smokeless tobacco products.
Sale of waterpipe 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.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
Schools/educational facilities
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in schools/educational facilities.
Playgrounds
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in “open youth centers,” which is interpreted to include playgrounds. In addition, the sale of tobacco products is prohibited through peddling and street or market trading. This is interpreted as prohibiting the sale of cigarettes outdoors, which precludes sales on playgrounds.
Stadiums/arenas
The law does not prohibit or restrict the sale of tobacco products in stadiums/arenas; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in stadiums/arenas.
Healthcare facilities
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in “hospitals,” but does not prohibit or restrict the sale of tobacco products in other types of healthcare facilities. Therefore, the regulatory status “Some Restrictions” is given.
Cultural facilities
The law does not prohibit or restrict the sale of tobacco products in cultural facilities; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in cultural facilities.
Children’s social welfare institutions
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in children’s social welfare institutions.
Youth camps
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in youth camps.
Peddling and sales premises without a sales area
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products through peddling and premises without a sales area.
Pharmacies
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies.
Excise warehouses
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products in excise warehouses.
Retail Package Size Restrictions
Minimum number of cigarette sticks per unit package
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes in packages of fewer than 20 sticks.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 16 with respect to the sale of small packets of cigarettes.
Minimum weight of smokeless tobacco per unit package
There is no minimum weight of smokeless tobacco products per unit package because smokeless tobacco products are prohibited.
Minimum weight of loose smoking tobacco per unit package
The law prohibits the sale of loose smoking tobacco in packages of less than 30 grams.
Retail Licensing Requirements
Specific retail license or equivalent approval required to sell tobacco products
The law requires retail traders in tobacco products to notify the government in order to sell tobacco products.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 15 in that the law requires retailers to obtain a license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.
