Last updated: March 7, 2022
Sales Restrictions
Sale of single cigarettes/sticks
The law states that tobacco products may only be sold in intact packages containing 20 sticks. Therefore, the sale of single cigarettes is prohibited.
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 the sale of tobacco through any means where the buyer and seller are not physically in the same place. This is interpreted as banning tobacco product sales via vending machine sales.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13, the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines, and FCTC Art. 16 with respect to vending machine sales. For greater clarity, the law should specifically state that tobacco product sales via vending machines are banned.
Sale of tobacco products via the internet
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco through any means where the buyer and seller are not physically in the same place, including sale through the internet.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 13 and the FCTC Art. 13 Guidelines with respect to internet sales of tobacco products.
Sale of smokeless tobacco products
The sale of smokeless tobacco products is allowed.
Sale of waterpipe tobacco products
The law prohibits the manufacture, import, storage, wholesale, distribution, sale, and offer for sale of any shisha product. In addition, the law prohibits any trade activity that is intended to provide a place for smoking shisha.
Location-based Sales Restrictions
Schools/educational facilities
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools.
Playgrounds
The law does not prohibit or restrict the sale of tobacco products in playgrounds; therefore, the law is interpreted as permitting the sale of tobacco products in 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 within 100 meters of health institutions.
Cultural facilities
The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of youth centers. The sale is not restricted in other cultural facilities.
Retail Package Size Restrictions
Minimum number of cigarette sticks per unit package
The law states that tobacco products may only be sold in intact packages containing 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
The law states that tobacco products may only be sold in intact packages “consisting of the specified weight as prescribed by the executive organ.” However, a weight has not been specified.
Retail Licensing Requirements
Specific retail license or equivalent approval required to sell tobacco products
Proclamation No. 1112/2019 prohibits the manufacture, import, wholesale, and distribution of tobacco products without a “special license” issued by the Ethiopian Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority. Notably, however, retail sale is not included. Thus, no specific license is required for the retail sale of tobacco products at the national level.
Regional authorities may require a specific license for retail sale.
To align with FCTC Art. 15, the law should require retailers to obtain a license or equivalent approval to sell tobacco products.
