Last updated: January 25, 2022
Main Policies
Sale of heated tobacco products
Decision No. 2149 bans the import of tobacco products that are specifically, “consumed by being heated or being lit, other than cigarettes, shredded tobacco products for hand-rolled cigarettes, tobacco products for use in pipes, tobacco products for use in hookahs, cigars, and cigarillos, and all products that are used to imitate tobacco products regardless of their nicotine content including electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs as well as electronic devices, apparatus, spare parts, and solutions used in the consumption of these products.” Tobacco inserts are considered “tobacco products” and devices are considered “electronic devices…used in the consumption” of tobacco inserts. Therefore, the import of tobacco inserts and devices is banned.
Circular 2020/7 provides an exception for imports for personal use, including one device per person and 200 tobacco inserts in total.
Further, domestic production of HTPs must have approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and no approval has been granted as of this review. As such, the combination of the import ban and the production ban effectively bans the sale of HTPs.
Use in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport
The law bans the use of any tobacco product, which, by definition, includes HTPs, in all public transport and most indoor workplaces and indoor public places. Consumption of tobacco products is allowed in designated areas in care facilities for the elderly, psychiatric hospitals, and prisons. Also, hotel rooms may be designated for use of tobacco products. Therefore, existing smoking prohibitions are interpreted to apply to HTPs.
Advertising and promotion (excluding point of sale product display)
The law bans virtually all forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products, which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts.
The law bans virtually all forms of advertising and promotion of “tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices.
Sponsorship
The law prohibits companies that produce or market “tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts, from contributing in any manner to any event or activity by using their names, logos, or trademarks. However, there do not appear to be restrictions on sponsorship of things other than events and activities, and therefore sponsorship and publicity of individuals, organizations, or governments may be allowed. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
The law prohibits companies that produce or market “tobacco products,” which, by definition, includes devices, from contributing in any manner to any event or activity by using their names, logos, or trademarks. However, there do not appear to be restrictions on sponsorship of things other than events and activities, and therefore sponsorship and publicity of individuals, organizations, or governments may be allowed. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
Point of sale product display
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Sale of heated tobacco products via the internet
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Sale of heated tobacco products via vending machines
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Flavors
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of HTPs are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Specified ingredients/additives
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of HTPs are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Health warnings on product packaging
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Other product packaging and labeling requirements
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of tobacco inserts are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of devices are effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
Manufacturer/importer disclosure and/or notification requirements
The law bans the import of HTPs and no production licenses for HTPs have been granted as of this review; thus, the sale of HTPs is effectively banned. Therefore, this policy is not applicable.
