Nepal became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 5, 2007. 

 

Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in a specified list of public places, which includes most workplaces and public places. However, the law allows managers of airports, prisons, and hotels to designate smoking areas. While generally the smoking area in a hotel must be outside, the regulations allow the smoking area to be inside if outside space is not available. With respect to outdoor areas, pilgrimage and religious places, stadiums, outdoor areas of industries and factories, and children’s parks and clubs also must be smoke free.

 

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law generally prohibits all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

 

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Health warnings are composed of both pictures and text and cover 90 percent of the upper front, upper back, and two sides of smoked tobacco product packaging and the upper front, upper back, and lids (where appropriate) of smokeless tobacco product packaging. With respect to rotation, the law specifies that the Ministry may change the required warnings within a year. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “less tar” and “light” 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 Nepal are well below these recommendations.