Slovenia

Slovenia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 13, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

In most indoor workplaces, indoor public places, and public transport, smoking is restricted to designated smoking rooms. Such rooms must be exclusively for smoking, may not exceed more than 20 percent of the total surface area, and must meet other technical requirements. Designated smoking rooms, however, are not permitted in childcare and educational facilities and most healthcare facilities; as a result, these places are smoke free. Designated smoking rooms will be eliminated beginning December 31, 2025. However, exceptions will remain for designated smoking areas in 1) areas specially designated for smokers in accommodation facilities and other providers of overnight stays, 2) senior citizens’ homes and prisons in areas not intended for common use, if only smokers reside there, 3) areas specially designated for smokers in psychiatric hospitals and specially designated for smokers at other treatment providers for mentally ill patients. Further, there is an exception permitting smoking in cultural facilities if part of the performance.  

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

The law prohibits direct and indirect advertising and promoting the sale of tobacco, tobacco products, and related products. In addition, the law prohibits promotional gifts, coupons, vouchers, etc. Although sponsorship by the tobacco industry is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Plain packaging is required for all packaging of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco beginning January 1, 2020. Combined picture and textual health warnings are required to appear on 65 percent of the front and back of smoked tobacco product packaging. Rotation is required every 12 months. In addition, messages are required on 50 percent of each lateral side. On smokeless tobacco products other than products for oral use (which is banned), a text-only health warning must cover 30 percent of the front and back of packaging. Misleading packaging and labeling, which could include 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 characterizing flavors; and ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake, create the impression of health benefits, or are associated with energy and vitality; among others. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities and the public information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines and the internet. The law also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, tobacco for oral use, and small packets of cigarettes. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed. E-cigarette use is restricted to designated smoking rooms in most indoor workplaces, indoor public places, and public transport. Such rooms, however, are not permitted in childcare and educational facilities and most healthcare facilities; as a result, e-cigarette use is prohibited in these places. In addition, there are several exceptions permitting use in designated areas in 1) areas specially designated for smokers in accommodation facilities and other providers of overnight stays, 2) senior citizens’ homes and prisons in areas not intended for common use, if only smokers reside there, 3) areas specially designated for smokers in psychiatric hospitals and specially designated for smokers at other treatment providers for mentally ill patients. Virtually all forms of e-cigarette advertising and promotion are prohibited. Text-only health warnings are required to cover 30 percent of the front and back of all nicotine-containing e-cigarette packaging. The sale of e-cigarettes is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Restriction of the Use of Tobacco Products Act was adopted in 2017 and is the primary piece of legislation regulating tobacco products, including e-cigarettes as "related products." It replaced a previous omnibus law first adopted in 1996 and subsequently amended. The current legislation implements the 2014 EU Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU) and includes further restrictions on smoke free environments, advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and packaging and labeling. Amendment to the Act were adopted in May 2017 and April 2024.

In addition to the Act, the Rules on Health Warnings for Tobacco Products establishes further rules related to health warnings and other information required to appear on tobacco product packaging. These Rules were issued in May 2017 and amended in September 2017.

Review Status

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