Ethiopia

Ethiopia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 23, 2014.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking and the use of any tobacco product is prohibited in any part of all indoor public places, workplaces and on all means of public transport. Smoking is also prohibited in outdoor areas of schools and universities, government facilities, youth centers, amusement parks, among other places. It is prohibited to establish a designated smoking area in any place where smoking is prohibited. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

All indirect or direct forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. However, the law excludes legitimate forms of expression recognized by the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines that could be construed as advertising such as trade newsletters, legitimate journalist or artistic expression, among other things. All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Rotating text and pictorial health warnings are required to cover 70 percent of the front and the back of tobacco product packaging. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited. 

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents of cigarettes, including banning characterizing flavors; ingredients that create the impression of health benefits; and ingredients that are associated with energy and vitality. The law requires 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 the internet, vending machines, and within 100 meters of schools, health institutions, and youth centers. In addition, the law prohibits the sale of shisha, single cigarettes, and small packets of cigarettes. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 21.

E-Cigarettes

The law bans the manufacture, wholesale, distribution, sale or offer for sale, and import to trade of any e-cigarette or “other related cigarette resembling technology product.” As an illegal product, the advertising of e-cigarettes is prohibited.

Heated Tobacco Products

The sale and use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) is prohibited. Existing tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship prohibitions apply to both tobacco inserts and devices.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Food and Medicine Administration Proclamation No. 1112/2019 is the primary piece of federal tobacco control legislation and 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/sales, and bans the sale and use of e-cigarettes and HTPs. Media Proclamation No. 1238/2021 regulates the media generally, including establishing the Ethiopia Media Authority as the regulatory and licensing agency. The Ethiopia Media Authority licenses broadcasters (TV and radio), print media, and advertising agencies, among other entities, that cover more than one regional state, and enforces compliance with tobacco advertising violations along with the Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration. The 2021 Tobacco Control Directive No. 771 issued by EFMHACA governs, among other things, smoking restrictions, tobacco advertising, tobacco packaging and labeling, and product regulation, and repeals the 2015 Tobacco Control Directive.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.