Uruguay became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.
Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public places, enclosed workplaces, and public transportation. In addition, smoking is prohibited within the outdoor premises of health and educational institutions.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: The law prohibits all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Plain packaging is required for all cigarette and roll-your-own tobacco products available for retail sale as of December 21, 2019. One of four authorized pictures and accompanying text warnings must be displayed on 80 percent of the two principal display areas of each tobacco product package. Warnings must be distributed evenly across each brand and new warnings are to be issued every 12 months. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited. Further, each tobacco brand may only possess a single form of presentation.
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 Uruguay 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
Yes
|
|
Universities
Yes
|
Restaurants
Yes
|
|
Governmental facilities
Yes
|
Bars and Pubs
Yes
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
Uncertain
|
|
| 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
Yes
|
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
4
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
80%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
80%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
80%
|
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
165.00
UYU
|
Total taxes
66%
|
|
In US dollars
3.89
USD
|
Total excise
48%
|
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: March 4, 2020