Gabon

Gabon became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 21, 2009.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public places, workplaces, and on means of public transport, except the law requires that designated smoking areas be created within certain places, including maritime and rail transport; airports; bus terminals, river terminals, maritime and rail terminals; hotels, beverage shops, discothèques, nightclubs, casinos, restaurants and supermarkets.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

The law bans most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. However, tobacco advertising and promotion is allowed within establishments selling tobacco products. All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

The law requires two combined text and picture health warnings to be displayed on 60 percent of the front and 65 percent of the back of each smoked tobacco product package. An Executive Order prescribing the health warnings has not yet been issued.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

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 the internet, and in schools, playgrounds, stadiums, healthcare facilities, cultural facilities and social service establishments. There are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via vending machine, or the sale of single cigarettes or small packets of cigarettes. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Republic of Gabon enacted a tobacco control law, Law No. 006/2013, in August 2013. Subsequently, five decrees were issued on May 17, 2016 regulating different aspects of tobacco control policy, including: Decree No. 0284/PR/MSPSSN Concerning the Packaging of Tobacco Products in the Republic of Gabon; Decree No. 0285 Concerning Advertising Promotion and Sponsorship of Tobacco Products; Decree No. 0286/PR/MSPSSN Concerning the Prevention of Interference by the Tobacco Industry in Health Policy in the Republic of Gabon; and Decree No. 0287/PR/MSPSSN Concerning the Ban on Smoking Tobacco in Places Open to the Public in the Republic of Gabon.

Review Status

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