The Syrian government issued on October 21, 2009 resolution no. 62 of 2009 setting out revised tobacco regulations. The revisions include the following:
1. The sale of tobacco products to people under 18 years is prohibited, as is the sale of confectionery or toys resembling tobacco products.
2. All tobacco advertising on any advertising media available (radio, cinema and television adverts, magazines, newspapers, sponsorship etc …) is no longer allowed.
3. Cigarette packs must clearly display the following information:
– Nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide content in cigarette smoke.
– The warning label “Smoking is the main cause for lung cancer and for heart and arteries diseases, and can harm both the health of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby”. This label should be in Arabic and in clear lettering. The new resolution does not specify the size of the label or on which side of the cigarette pack it should appear. Details in this regard are expected to be issued by the Syrian Authority for Standardization and Metrology very soon.
4. Violators are subject to strict applications of penalties including payment of fines of up to 100,000 Syrian Pounds (around US$ 2,000) as well as legal prosecution resulting in possible imprisonment.
The resolution was published in the Official Gazette on October 21, 2009 and will become effective in the country after six months from publication date.
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