APRIL 2011 - A new tobacco control bill - the Tobacco Product Control and Regulatory Bill, 2010 - was approved by Nepal's legislature, the Constituent Assembly, on 11 April 2011.

APRIL 2011 - Ukraine has finalized requirements for pictorial warnings following the publication of a Decree on 4 April 2011 in the Official Journal of Ukraine.

MARCH 2011 - An amendment of the existing Tobacco Control Act was adopted on 28 March 2011. 

The amendment puts into effect stronger measures concerning the sale of tobacco products and the distribution of free samples of tobacco, and provides for higher penalties for non-compliance with the measures imposed by the law. 

More information is available from Chabani Bourhane, tobacco control focal point (chabanib@yahoo.co.uk) 

MARCH 2011 - The bill makes it mandatory to affix health warnings on tobacco product packaging, bans the sale of cigarettes to minors (under 18 years of age), strictly regulates tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion, prohibits smoking in public places including schools, airports and public buildings, and introduces regulations on the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of tobacco products in Nigeria.

FEBRUARY 2011 - A new comprehensive tobacco control act, adopted by the National Congress on 9 June 2010, entered into force on 21 February 2011. 

The law introduces a complete ban on smoking in public places; strictly regulates sales to minors under 21 years of age; bans advertising and promotion of tobacco products; and calls for health warnings containing images.

DECEMBER 2010 - The Cabinet has approved a new Tobacco Control Decree in December 2010.

The Decree restricts advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of tobacco products; regulates the labelling of tobacco-product containers, restricts the nicotine and tar content of cigarettes; and bans the sale of cigarettes to persons younger than 18 years of age.