Senegal

Senegal became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on April 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in any enclosed workplace or public place except for in hotels, inns, guest houses, restaurants and airports where designated smoking rooms are allowed. Smoking is also prohibited in religious sites, which may be indoors or outdoors.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

All forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are banned. Tobacco sponsorship is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Tobacco product packages must display combined text and picture health warnings on at least 70 percent of each principal display area. Warnings are required to rotate. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law regulates specified contents of cigarettes, including banning sugars and sweeteners; menthol, mint, or spearmint; spices and herbs; and other flavorings; ingredients that create the impression of health benefits; and ingredients associated with energy and vitality. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines and within 200 meters of schools, stadiums, healthcare facilities, and cultural facilities. However, there are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via the internet or the sale of single cigarettes or small packets of cigarettes. The law, however, bans shisha. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Senegal’s tobacco control law, Law No. 2014-14 Concerning the Manufacture, Packaging, Labeling, Sale and Use of Tobacco was enacted March 14, 2014. The law regulates, among other things, restrictions on public smoking; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and tobacco packaging and labeling. The law also prohibits any interference by the tobacco industry in national health policy. Subsequently, Decree No. 2016-1008 concerning the manufacture, packaging, labeling, sale and use of tobacco went into effect in July 2016. Decree No. 2016-1008 elaborates upon the regulations in Law No. 2014-14 and sets forth grounds for subsequent subsidiary legislation regarding packaging and labeling requirements. Two administrative orders have been issued with further implementing details - (1) Administrative Order No. 18415 on health warnings required on tobacco product packaging, and (2) Administrative Order No. 18416 on no-smoking signs. The Minister of Health and Social Affairs issued Circular No. 02988 in March 2017 to delay the implementation of health warnings by six months. The health warnings came into effect on August 26, 2017.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.