Myanmar

Myanmar became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and on public transportation. Smoking is allowed, however, in private rooms and offices in office buildings, factories, places of lodging, public transportation terminals, trains and vessels, and restaurants. In places where smoking is allowed in private rooms and offices, smoking is also permitted in designated smoking areas, but these areas must be outside and at least ten meters away from the building entrance.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited, especially through the mass media and other means of wide distribution, including outdoor advertising. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Rotating health warnings comprised of text and images are required to cover at least 75 percent of the main surfaces of the unit and outside packaging and labeling. Misleading terms such as “light” and “low” are prohibited on tobacco product packaging. Plain packaging is required for cigarettes.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes, nor does the law require that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents or emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packs of cigarettes, and tobacco products vending via machines. However, there are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via the internet. The law prohibits the sale of smoked tobacco products within 100 yards of schools. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Control of Smoking and Consumption of Tobacco Product Law was enacted in 2006, repealing the Law of the Prohibition of Smoking at the Entertainment Building Act, 1959. Two notifications have been issued by the Ministry of Health specifying requirements of smoke free places. These notifications are: (1) Ministry of Health Notification No. 5/2014, Order Stipulating the Caption, Sign and Marks Referring to the “No-Smoking Area”; and (2) Ministry of Health Notification No. 6/2014, Order Stipulating the Requirements to be Managed at the Specific Area where Smoking is Allowed. In addition, the President’s Office issued a letter with instructions on tobacco use in government offices. Ministry of Health Order No. 453/2021, Order for Packaging of Tobacco Products and Printing of Health Warning Pictures and Text Statements According to the Standards (as amended) requires plain packaging of tobacco products and prescribes the requirements of the graphic health warnings that must appear on product packaging. These requirements replace those contained in Proclamation No. 11/2016, Order of Printing Warning Images and Texts on the Packaging of Tobacco Products.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts were consulted for the review.