Retail tobacco sales: regulatory overview around the world

A recent study published in the journal Tobacco Control provides an overview of the global regulatory landscape for retail tobacco sales across WHO regions. The authors of the research find that while many jurisdictions have licensing systems in place and restrictions on where tobacco can be sold, active strategies to reduce the number of outlets remain under-implemented, and control policies are still inadequate.

The various available studies show that a high density of tobacco retailers is generally associated with a high prevalence of smoking, making the reduction in the number of points of sale a major public health issue. Furthermore, the scientific literature indicates a higher density of points of sale in neighborhoods and areas with low income levels. This situation thus reinforces social inequalities in health, by increasing the difficulties of the most precarious to maintain and succeed in their attempts to quit, as well as by promoting the risks of smoking initiation among the youngest.

Europe

Many countries in Europe have a licensing or registration system for tobacco retailers. In 2013, Hungary introduced one of the most restrictive licensing systems with the aim of drastically reducing the number of tobacco retailers. Since the introduction of this measure, the density of retail outlets has been reduced by approximately 85%, from 4.1 to 0.6 outlets per 1000 inhabitants.

In Spain, Italy and France, tobacco sales are regulated by a state monopoly, which limits the number of authorized sales locations. However, the authors of the study believe that these systems tend to favor the maximization of sales volumes rather than the pursuit of public health objectives.

In Russia, the government does not require licensing for the sale of tobacco products, but does provide for no-go areas, such as schools, bus and train stations, or airports. Norway, Ireland, and Scotland only require traders to register their businesses as tobacco retailers. Attempts to introduce licensing in Scotland in 2007 and Norway in 2017 were thwarted by the tobacco industry lobby, both manufacturers and retailers. In the Netherlands, while there is no licensing system for tobacco retailers, supermarkets in the country have not been allowed to sell tobacco since 1^er January 2024.

Africa

African countries have generally not introduced legislation requiring traders to obtain licenses to sell tobacco products. However, eight countries now restrict tobacco sales in different areas, including in areas around schools or health facilities (Chad, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mauritius, Senegal, Uganda). Some countries, such as Senegal and Uganda, are extending these bans to other areas, such as places of worship or public transport stations. The study points to more extensive restrictions in Gambia, where smoking bans also apply to sports stadiums, daycare centers, cinemas and theaters. However, local press reports indicate low levels of enforcement several years after the law came into force.

Finally, South Africa and Botswana have implemented temporary sales bans, as part of the state of emergency relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Americas

The study highlights the lack of data for countries in South and Central America. However, the available evidence suggests that legislation includes either licensing measures, as in Argentina or Panama, or tobacco sales bans in certain areas, as in Chile or Paraguay.

In Canada, the licensing of tobacco retailers is handled at the provincial rather than national level. The authors also note that licenses are issued at very low prices ($91 in Nova Scotia) or free of charge. In three Canadian provinces, no government licenses are required to sell tobacco (Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Quebec).

Without national regulation, the United States is characterized by a multiplicity of state, county, and local jurisdictions. Many of these provide for licensing or sales restrictions in certain areas, such as near schools, after-school facilities, and health care facilities. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that New York City, for example, has legislated a ban on tobacco sales near pharmacies, and through this measure is projecting a 40% reduction in the number of retailers over the next ten years. Philadelphia has also committed to reducing the number of tobacco retailers, particularly in low-income areas and areas with high concentrations of minorities, with the aim of reducing social inequities in smoking. In 2021, the cities of Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach in California implemented Near-total sales bansIn 2022, Brookline, Massachusetts, introduced a ban on the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 1999, with the goal of achieving a tobacco-free generation.

Southeast Asia

In India, while there is a restriction on the sale of tobacco within 100 metres of any school, there is no licensing system for the retail sale of tobacco products. As in Bangladesh, this measure is beginning to be introduced at the state level in some states, but implementation has generally been slow. Bhutan, which in 2005 became the first country in the world to completely ban the sale of tobacco products, suspended the public health measure 15 years later, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and border closures.

Eastern Mediterranean

Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates prohibit the sale of tobacco near schools and health facilities, at a distance of between 50 metres and one kilometre depending on the country. In Pakistan, there is no requirement for a government license to sell tobacco, with the exception of the city of Islamabad, which requires annual renewal of licenses, as well as a sworn statement from retailers that they will comply with various public health protection measures (ban on smoking in the store, ban on the sale of tobacco products to minors, compliance with signage in the store, etc.).

Western Pacific

In New Zealand, the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 programme was launched in December 2021, introducing a strategy to significantly reduce the number of retailers between 2023 and 2025. However, the arrival of a new majority in power has resulted in the repeal of most of the measures planned in the programme, considered by the authors of the study to be one of the most comprehensive and ambitious national plans to combat smoking.

In Australia, the sale of tobacco is not regulated nationally. However, all states and territories except Victoria and Queensland have a licensing or notification requirement (New South Wales). The Queensland Parliament has passed a bill introducing a licensing requirement for all tobacco retailers from 1^er September 2024. There are no restrictions on the density or location of tobacco retailers in the country.

A licensing system has also been implemented in Brunei. However, following the introduction of a tobacco tax policy, advertising restrictions and large mandatory health warnings on packets in 2014, the tobacco industry stopped selling in the country, citing excessive regulations. As a result, there are now virtually no tobacco retailers in Brunei.

In China, the production, sale and regulation of tobacco are controlled by the government. A license is required for retailers, while the sale of tobacco products is not allowed near kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.

Recommendations

The introduction of a tobacco licensing system, as well as the expansion of areas where tobacco sales are prohibited, can help reduce the number of retailers, thereby promoting the fight against smoking and the denormalization of tobacco. As the authors of the study point out, the process for awarding these licenses must be transparent, in order to ensure public trust and support for this public health measure. Furthermore, the researchers recommend that governments encourage the reduction of the number of tobacco outlets by introducing or increasing licensing fees.

©Tobacco Free Generation

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