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. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited. Plain packaging is required for tobacco products except green tobacco.
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 Mauritius are below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
Yes
|
Private offices
Yes
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
Yes
|
Public transport
Yes
|
|
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
Yes
|
|
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)
Yes
|
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
Yes
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
8
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
90%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
80%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
100%
|
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
150.00
MUR
|
Total taxes
81%
|
|
In US dollars
3.75
USD
|
Total excise
68%
|
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: February 26, 2024