APRIL 2013 - A comprehensive new Act (Nº 08/2013) was signed by the President on 1 March 2013 and entered into force on 8 April 2013. The law is aimed at preventing tobacco use, informing and educating the public about the consequences of tobacco use, preventing exposure to tobacco smoke, eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products, and motivating smokers to quit.

The main provisions of the new law are as follows:

- a permit is required to grow, manufacture, import and export tobacco and tobacco products;

MARCH 2013 - On 15 March 2013, the Government of Georgia adopted a decree on the creation of the State Committee on Tobacco Control to strengthen tobacco control in Georgia and, specifically, with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of the country's 2010 Law on Tobacco Control.

FEBRUARY 2013 - The packaging of tobacco products placed on the Icelandic market is now required to display photographs in line with new regulations that have been in effect since 1 January 2013. The images were selected from the library developed by the European Commission and depict the negative health effects of smoking. In addition, every pack will also provide information on a quit line number or a web site for those wanting to quit tobacco use. The 14 new health warnings must be rotated to guarantee their regular appearance.

FEBRUARY 2013 - The Suriname Parliament unanimously passed comprehensive tobacco control legislation on 7 February 2013.

DECEMBER 2012 - More than ten years have passed since the adoption of the Tobacco Products Directive. During this time, there have been several market, scientific and international developments in the tobacco sector and the existing rules present a number of weaknesses, gaps and loopholes. Therefore it has become necessary to update and complete the current Directive. A revision was repeatedly called for by the Council and the European Parliament.

JANUARY 2013 - In line with the recommendations resulting from the needs assessment exercise conducted jointly by the Government of Cook Islands and the Convention Secretariat in early 2012, Cook Islands has adopted a Tobacco Control Action Plan for the period 2012 to 2016. The Action Plan was launched in December 2012 by Nandi Glassie, Minister of Health, and aims to ensure that Cook Islands fulfils its obligations under the WHO FCTC.

FEBRUARY 2013 -Since 1 February 2013, the packaging of tobacco products placed on the Irish market has been required to display graphic photographs that depict the negative health effects of smoking. The 14 images, to be rotated in such a way as to guarantee their regular appearance, were selected from the library of images developed by the European Commission.

JANUARY 2013 - As of 1 January 2013, Republic Act No. 10351, which restructures the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products, has been in force in the Philippines. The tax on cigarettes is now 12 Philippine pesos (P12), approximately US$ 0.3, per pack for those with a net retail price (excluding the excise tax and the 12% value added tax) of P11.50 and below. For those with a higher retail price, the tax is P25. The rates will go up to P17 and P27, respectively, in 2014, P21 and P28 in 2015, and P25 and P29 in 2016.

JANUARY 2013 - In line with the recommendations provided by the needs assessment exercise conducted jointly by the Government of Gambia and the Convention Secretariat in late 2012, Gambia will introduce a new tobacco taxation policy in January 2013.

DECEMBER 2012 -Congo's Parliament adopted in July 2012 legislation containing provisions banning smoking in public places and the sales of tobacco products to minors, forbidding tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and calling for health warnings on tobacco packages. The warnings may include pictures and cover at least 30% of any outside packaging of tobacco products, while the Minister of Health is requested to develop regulations in the area of health warnings.