Last updated: March 12, 2021
Smoke Free Status of Indoor Public Places, Workplaces, and Public Transport
All indoor workplaces
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, but it does not explicitly prohibit smoking in workplaces despite providing a definition for the term and including workplaces in the title of Art. 38. Thus, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given. To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law or forthcoming administrative order implementing the law should clearly prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces.
All indoor public places
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to indoor public places.
All public transport
The law prohibits smoking in all public transportation vehicles without exception. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to public transport.
Government facilities
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include government facilities. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to government facilities.
Private offices
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, but it does not explicitly prohibit smoking in workplaces despite providing a definition for the term and including workplaces in the title of Art. 38. Thus, it is not clear whether smoking is prohibited in private offices, and the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given. To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law or forthcoming administrative order implementing the law should clearly prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces, including private offices.
Hospitals
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include hospitals. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to hospitals.
Residential healthcare facilities - public areas
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include public areas of residential healthcare facilities. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to public areas of residential healthcare facilities.
Non-residential healthcare facilities
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include non-residential healthcare facilities. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to non-residential healthcare facilities.
Childcare facilities/preschools
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include childcare facilities and preschools. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to childcare facilities and preschools.
Primary and secondary schools
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include primary and secondary schools. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to primary and secondary schools.
Universities/vocational facilities
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include universities and vocational facilities. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to universities and vocational facilities.
Shops
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include shops. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to shops.
Cultural facilities
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include cultural facilities. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to cultural facilities.
Indoor stadium/arenas
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include indoor stadiums/arenas. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to indoor stadiums/arenas.
Restaurants
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include restaurants. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to restaurants.
Bars/pubs/nightclubs
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
Casinos
As of the date of this review, it is our understanding that gambling is illegal in Mauritania and, therefore, there are no casinos.
Hotels/lodging - public areas
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include public areas of hotels and other lodging. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to public areas of hotels and other lodging.
Hotels/lodgings - guest rooms
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which could include hotel/lodging guest rooms. However, because guest rooms are not specifically addressed, the regulatory status code is “Uncertain” is given. To align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines, the law or forthcoming administrative order implementing the law should clearly prohibit smoking in hotel/lodging guest rooms.
Prisons/detention facilities - public areas
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include public areas of prisons and detention facilities. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to public areas of prisons and detention facilities.
Trains, buses and other shared ground transportation other than taxis
The law prohibits smoking in all public transportation vehicles without exception. Therefore, smoking is prohibited on trains, buses, and other shared ground transportation. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to smoking in trains, buses, and other shared ground transportation.
Taxis (for-hire vehicle)
The law prohibits smoking in all public transportation vehicles without exception. Therefore, smoking is prohibited in taxis. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to smoking in taxis.
Commercial aircraft
The law prohibits smoking in all public transportation vehicles without exception. Therefore, smoking is prohibited on commercial aircraft. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to smoking in commercial aircraft.
Commercial watercraft
The law prohibits smoking in all public transportation vehicles without exception. Therefore, smoking is prohibited on commercial watercraft. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to smoking in commercial watercraft.
Public transport facilities (waiting areas for mass transit)
The law prohibits smoking in all public places without exception, which is interpreted to include public transport facilities. Thus, the law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines with respect to public transport facilities.