Suriname

Suriname became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on March 16, 2009.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is banned in all indoor public places and workplaces and on all public transport. Smoking is also prohibited on the outdoor grounds of educational and childcare facilities. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

All tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is banned under the law.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

The law requires six warnings to be printed on at least 50 percent of the front and back of tobacco product packages. Although the packaging and labeling requirements apply to all tobacco products, the regulations only prescribe warning requirements for cigarettes. Misleading packaging and labeling, including the use of graphical indications, descriptions, and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law does not require 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 in educational facilities, playgrounds, and healthcare facilities. The law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes and small packets of cigarettes. However, there are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via the internet.  The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The law prohibits the importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes. There are no restrictions on use or advertising, promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The primary piece of legislation governing tobacco control in Suriname is the Law of February 20, 2013, Containing Rules for Limiting the Use of Tobacco and Tobacco Products (Tobacco Law). Current requirements for health warnings are contained in the Decision of the Minister of Public Health of December 9, 2013 No. 4061/13, on detailed rules on the packaging and labeling of cigarettes. Decree of the Minister of Public Health of May 3, 2018 No. 1391 contains the second round of pictorial health warnings, which went into effect on December 7, 2018. (A previous decision, Decision of November 10, 2016 No. 3553, was issued to establish the second round of warnings; however, this decision was later repealed by a decision dated March 31, 2017 due to printing errors.)

Review Status

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