Belarus became a Party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on December 7, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in educational facilities and on most public transport (except for commercial watercraft). Smoking is restricted to designated areas in most other places, including healthcare facilities, cultural facilities, sports facilities, shops, restaurants, government facilities, and public transport facilities.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. Permitted forms include reverse brand stretching, competitions associated with tobacco products, and unpaid depiction in TV, film, or other media. Product display at points of sale is prohibited except in duty-free shops. Tobacco sponsorship is allowed. However, it is unclear whether certain types of publicity of tobacco sponsorship are prohibited under the law.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: On the packaging of smoked tobacco products, rotating picture and text health warnings are required to cover 50 percent of the front and back of the packaging. The law does not require health warnings on smokeless tobacco product packaging. Instead, the law requires that smokeless tobacco products include a leaflet within the package that includes health warnings about tobacco consumption dangers. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Belarus are well below these recommendations.