Mauritius

Mauritius became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places, which is defined to include workplaces and public transport. In addition, smoking is prohibited in a number of outdoor places, including outdoor areas of government buildings, healthcare facilities, and educational facilities. However, waterpipe use is permitted in demarcated outdoor areas of hotels. 

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

There is a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotion. Product display is prohibited with the exception of duty-free shops in airports. All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

One of eight required graphic health warnings must occupy 80 percent of the front (in French) and 100 percent of the back (in English) of tobacco product unit packages (pipe tobacco and cigarettes excluding those sold at duty-free shops). Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited.  Plain packaging is required for tobacco products, excluding green tobacco.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents in cigarettes, including prohibiting characterizing flavors. 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 vending machines and the internet, single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and waterpipe tobacco. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is prohibited. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited where smoking is prohibited. There is a comprehensive ban on e-cigarette advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

Heated Tobacco Products

The sale of heated tobacco products (HTPs) is prohibited. The law prohibits smoking HTPs in all indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport. The law comprehensively bans the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, which, by definition, includes both tobacco inserts and devices.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Under a grant of power contained in the Public Health Act 1925, the Minister of Health issued the Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2022, which revoked the Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) Regulations 2008. These are the principal regulations governing tobacco control in Mauritius. The regulations are comprehensive, covering major areas of tobacco control such as restrictions on smoking in public places; restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; packaging and labeling requirements; and restrictions on cigarette contents. In addition, the regulations ban the manufacture, import, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes and HTPs. The regulations have since been amended twice - Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and the Public Health (Restrictions on Tobacco Products) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2023. 

Review Status

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