Niger

Niger became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on November 23, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Designated smoking rooms are allowed in all indoor public places and workplaces, except in educational institutions and health facilities. Smoking is prohibited on all means of public transportation.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Nearly all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Rotating health warnings comprised of text and images are required to cover at least 50 percent of the main surfaces of the packs and cartons of cigarettes and cigars, which came into effect in December 2014. Health warnings and messages are not required on smokeless tobacco products. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited. 

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents of cigarettes, including banning sugars and sweeteners; mint and spearmint; spices and herbs; and other flavors not previously specified. However, menthol is not prohibited. 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 vending machines and in specified places including schools, stadiums, healthcare facilities, and offices (public, semi-public, or private). However, there are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via the internet. The law also prohibits the sale of waterpipe tobacco and restricts the sale of tobacco products within 500 meters of another tobacco product seller. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Niger’s tobacco control legislation went into effect on May 15, 2006 through Law No. 2006-12 Concerning Tobacco Control. A subsequent Decree (Decree No. 2008/PRN/MSP) was adopted and went into effect on July 17, 2008. The Decree implemented the requirements of law relating to smoke free places and created the Health Police, the entity responsible for issuing regulations. Joint Administrative Order No. 441 regulates the licensing and operation of tobacco products points of sale. Joint Administrative Order No. 442 regulates packaging and labeling of tobacco products, including providing for the content of health warnings required on cigarettes and cigars. Resolution No. 0004 on the Creation of the Parliamentarian Tobacco Control Network creates a network to oversee and improve Niger’s tobacco control regulations and strengthen alignment with the FCTC and its implementation guidelines.

Review Status

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