Tobacco Control Policies for Botswana

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Botswana

Tobacco Control Policies

Botswana became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on May 1, 2005.

Smoke Free Places: Designated smoking rooms are permitted in most indoor public places and indoor workplaces, and on many forms public transport.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Many direct forms of advertising are prohibited, including domestic TV, radio, and print media; internet; billboards; and conventional mail. However, the ban does not cover many promotional practices/activities, such as competitions associated with tobacco products, discounts, and retailer incentive programs. Sponsorship by the tobacco industry is allowed.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: The law does not set forth requirements for health warnings on tobacco packaging and labeling, nor does the law prohibit misleading packaging and labeling.

Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Botswana are well below these recommendations.

Smoke-Free Environments - Complete Smoking Ban
Health-care facilities No	Private offices No
Primary and secondary schools No	Public transport No
Universities No	Restaurants No
Governmental facilities No	Bars and pubs No
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions? Yes

Bans on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship
Domestic TV and radio Yes	Promotional discounts No
Domestic magazines and newspapers Yes	Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names No
Outdoor advertising Yes	Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names No
Point-of-sale advertising Yes	Paid placement in media Yes
Retail product display Uncertain	Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility No
Internet advertising Yes	Publicity of sponsorships No
Free distribution No

Health Warnings on Smoked Tobacco Products
Text warnings describe health impacts No	Number of published warnings at any given time 0
Warnings include a picture or graphic No	Warnings required to rotate No
% of principal display areas covered (front and back) 0%	Warnings are written in the principal language(s) No
Front 0%	Ban on misleading packaging and labeling No
Back 0%	Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products No

Tobacco Taxation and Price
PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES	TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE)
In country currency BWP 49.50	Total taxes 52%
In US dollars USD 4.31	Total excise 35%

Last updated: December 13, 2021