Russian Federation - Smoking ban extended to bars, restaurants and public transport facilities
JUNE 2014 - The law On protection of citizens' health from tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption came into effect on 1 June 2013.
Senegal - New tobacco control law adopted
MARCH 2014 - On 14 March 2014, the National Assembly of Senegal adopted a law "on the manufacturing, packaging and labelling, sale and use of tobacco". The new act introduces measures in line with the requirements of the WHO FCTC such as:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – guidance for embassies on interactions with the tobacco industry published
The Government of the United Kingdom has published revised guidance on interactions with the tobacco industry for the United Kingdom’s overseas posts, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The document is to provide overseas posts with greater clarity on the type of support that may be provided to the tobacco industry.
European Union - Revised EU Tobacco Products Directive approved by the European Parliament
FEBRUARY 2014 - The revised Directive, approved by the European Parliament on 26 February, strengthens the rules on how tobacco products are manufactured, produced and presented in the European Union (EU), and introduces specific rules for certain tobacco-related products. The new Directive aims to improve the functioning of the EU's internal market for tobacco products, while assuring a high level of public health. It also aims to make tobacco products and tobacco consumption less attractive, in particular among young people.
Turkmenistan – new tobacco control law adopted
DECEMBER 2013 - On 23 December 2013, the President of Turkmenistan signed the law "on the protection of the health of citizens from the effects of tobacco smoke and the consequences of tobacco consumption". The new act introduces strong tobacco-control measures in line with the requirements of the WHO FCTC such as:
Swaziland - new comprehensive tobacco control act adopted
NOVEMBER 2013 - The Tobacco Products Control Act passed in August 2013 in Swaziland aims to give effect to the WHO FCTC, and has as its main objective to protect the health of the population from the consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Jamaica - New tobacco control regulations enter into force
JULY 2013 - On 15 July 2013 Jamaica's new Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations entered into force. The regulations, which are fully in line with the relevant provisions of the WHO FCTC, stipulate the use of rotating pictorial health warnings that cover at least 75% of each principal display surface of tobacco product packaging, among the largest in the world; ban misleading statements on packaging; and prohibit smoking in public places, including all enclosed public places and workplaces. They also specify the penalties for offences committed under the regulations.
Thailand - New regulations on graphic health warnings introduced
JUNE 2013 - On 8 March 2013 Thailand's Minister of Health, Dr Pradith Sinthawanarong, signed new regulations that require graphic health warnings to cover at least 85% of both sides of cigarette packages. The new regulations increase the size of the four-colour warnings from the current 55%. The 10 updated warnings depict the negative effects of smoking. In addition, the top portion of cigarette packages will be required to display tobacco cessation information, including a quitline number.
Bangladesh - National tobacco control law amended
MAY 2013 - The National Assembly of Bangladesh passed the Tobacco Control Law Amendment Bill on 29 April 2013, closing many loopholes in the country's previous tobacco control law.
Fiji – Ministry of Health publishes new Tobacco Control Regulations
APRIL 2013 - The Minister of Health signed new Tobacco Control Regulations, which were published in the Government of Fiji Gazette on 8 February. In doing so the Minister was exercising the powers conferred by section 40 of the Tobacco Control Decree, adopted by the Cabinet in December 2010.