El Salvador became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on October 19, 2014.
Smoke Free Places: There is a comprehensive ban on smoking in indoor workplaces and indoor public places. The law prohibits smoking in all buses, in air, land and maritime terminals. However, the law restricts smoking in other forms of transportation where the point of origin and destination are within the country.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion, with exceptions for point of sale advertising, product display, and adult-only promotions and events. The law does not address cross-border advertising. Sponsorship by the tobacco industry is prohibited.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Combined text and picture health warnings must cover at least 50 percent of each principal display area. Rotation is required every two years. 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 El Salvador are well below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
Yes
|
Private offices
Yes
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
Yes
|
Public transport
No
|
|
Universities
Yes
|
Restaurants
Yes
|
|
Governmental facilities
Yes
|
Bars and Pubs
Yes
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
Yes
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
No
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
No
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
|
Retail product display
No
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
Yes
|
|
Internet advertising
Yes
|
Publicity of sponsorships
Yes
|
|
Free distribution
No
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
5 pairs
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
50%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
50%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
50%
|
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
Yes
|
| TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE | |
|---|---|
| PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES | TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE) |
|
In country currency
3.17
USD
|
Total taxes
47%
|
|
In US dollars
3.17
USD
|
Total excise
35%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021. Available at: www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/
Last updated: September 17, 2019