OCTOBER 2012 -The Norwegian display ban on tobacco products came into effect on 1 January 2010, through an amendment of the 1973 Act relating to the Prevention of the Harmful Effects of Tobacco (the Tobacco Control Act)..

The Act prohibits the visible display of tobacco products, smoking accessories and also cards that allow customers to obtain tobacco products or smoking accessories from vending machines at the points of sale, including in duty-free areas.

OCTOBER 2012 -The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety has rejected an application by a tobacco company to sell cigarettes containing menthol capsules in the filter, on the grounds of public health. The capsules can be opened by the smoker by crushing. The Federal Office noted that the capsules are aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the cigarettes, especially among young people.

The African regional meeting on implementation of the WHO FCTC held on 9-12 October 2012 brought together 38 countries from the African Region, including 36 Parties and 2 non-Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The meeting was organized by the Convention Secretariat in cooperation with and hosted by the Government of Senegal.

JUNE 2012 - A new law has entered into force that has extended the country's existing smoking ban. Smoking is now prohibited on the premises of all restaurants, cafés and bars and in cultural, sport and government buildings (the ban previously covered health and education facilities). The new law also bans smoking at public transport stops in addition to the existing ban that covered public transport vehicles. However, smokers are still allowed to smoke outside in many outdoor public places.

MARCH 2012 - 
On 7 March 2012 the President of Iraq signed a new tobacco-control law with the overarching goals of protecting the public and creating a healthier environment. The new act introduces strong tobacco-control measures such as:

2012 - Matt Allen, - English

The Union's FCTC Article 5.3 Toolkit: Guidance for Governments on Preventing Tobacco Industry Interference provides step-by-step guidance on the key legislative and policy elements of a strategy to safeguard laws and policies from tobacco industry interference.

MAY 2012 - A ban on misleading descriptors (including "mild", "light", "ultra-light" and "low tar") on tobacco-product packaging will shortly be introduced in Singapore. This and other changes to the legislation on packaging were announced in February 2012. 

A new set of graphic health warnings are also being introduced, while the maximum tar and nicotine limits of tobacco products are being reduced (to 10 mg tar and 1 mg nicotine per stick). The printing of tar and nicotine yield levels on packaging will be replaced with a new health information requirement. 

APRIL 2012 - The Brazilian Minister of Health has published 18 April an order establishing ethical guidelines for the members of the National Committee for WHO FCTC Implementation (CONICQ). The CONICQ is composed of representatives of 18 ministries and agencies at federal level and is responsible for implementing intersectoral policies to ensure that the country complies with the treaty. The Minister of Health is the president of the Committee.

MARCH 2012 -Brazil's National Health Protection Agency (ANVISA) has banned the use of additives in cigarettes and other tobacco products sold in the country, through a decision taken on 13 March 2012.

MARCH 2012 - On 13 March 2012 Ukraine's President, Viktor Yanukovych, signed into law a national ban on all forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship by the tobacco industry.