Seychelles

The Seychelles became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited on all public transportation, and in all enclosed public places and workplaces, with one limited exception for hotel guest rooms.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Nearly all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited, except that point of sale product display is permitted only to the extent that products may be displayed behind the counter and may not be accessible to customers.  In addition, the law restricts, but does not prohibit, promotional features that may appear on tobacco product packaging. All forms of financial or other tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Combined pictorial and text health warnings covering 50 percent of the main surfaces of tobacco product packaging are required. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar,” is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. 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 single cigarette sticks, small packets of cigarettes, and tobacco products via vending machines and the internet. There are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products based on location. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Tobacco Control Act, passed in 2009, is the law governing tobacco control in Seychelles. The comprehensive law includes measures relating to restrictions on smoking in public places; the manufacture, importation, and sale of tobacco products, including packaging and labeling requirements; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; establishment of the National Tobacco Control Board; and offenses and penalties. The Act also authorizes the Minister of Health to issue regulations under the law. To date, several sets of regulations have been issued. The Tobacco Control (Smoke-Free Notices) Regulations, 2011 prescribe the requirements of the no smoking notices that must be displayed in smoke free places. The Tobacco (Inspections and Penalty) Regulations, 2014 grant the Minister of Health the power to appoint certain public officers to enforce the law, while also outlining the scope of their inspection authority. The Tobacco (Inspections and Penalty) (Amendment) Regulations, 2015 add to the list of offenses for which "spot fines" can be issued. 

In addition, the Tobacco (Health Warnings and Messages) Regulations, 2012 have been issued, which prescribe the content and display of the required health warnings. The Tobacco Control (Health Warnings and Messages) (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations, 2013 replace the graphic health warnings contained in the Schedule to the 2012 regulations. The graphic images remain the same, with only slight corrections/updates to the text of the warnings. The subsequent round of graphic health warnings was issued in the Tobacco (Health Warnings and Messages) Regulations, 2015, with the new warnings required on all packaging beginning December 1, 2016.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts were consulted for the review.