Frequently asked questions

Commencing September 26, 2022, all tobacco products manufactured, imported, sold, commercially supplied or distributed in Trinidad and Tobago are required by law to display Health Messages and images, together with all the other packaging and labelling requirements contained in the Tobacco Control Act, Chapter 30:04 and Regulations.

All tobacco licence holders at the point of manufacture.

Ensure that you don’t acquire tobacco products that are not packaged and labeled with the Health Messages after September 26, 2022. (Section 23(2) of the Tobacco Control Act 2009.)

Any company in possession of either a manufacturer, wholesale or distributor licence.

Pursuant to Regulation 6(1) of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2013 [as amended by the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Regulations 2019], the prescribed Health Messages and images are divided into two sets, A and B. Both sets are to be rotated in accordance with Schedule 2 of the Regulations.

Accordingly:

Year 1: Set A to commence on September 26, 2022 and end on September 25, 2023. The phasing out period begins in the eighth month, with Set B introduced from May 26, 2023.

Year 2: Set B to commence on September 26, 2023 and end on September 25, 2024. The phasing out period begins in the eighth month, with Set A introduced from May 26, 2024.

Section 37(2) of the Tobacco Control Act Chapter 30:04 provides that any person who acts in contravention of the Act commits an offence.

Section 23 of the Tobacco Control Act Chapter 30:04 provides that it is an offence to sell, offer for sale, supply, import or acquire any tobacco products that do not comply with the packaging and labelling requirements of the Act and Regulations.

Yes. Individual cigarettes or cigars offered for sale must be wrapped with the message “SMOKING IS DANGEROUS” in accordance with Regulation 5(6) of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2013, as amended.

Regulation 10(1) of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2013, as amended, requires that the following seller’s sign be displayed in a prominent place where tobacco products are sold:

“THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS IS PROHIBITED”

Section 37(2) of the Act states that any person who acts in contravention of the Act commits an offence.

Yes. Section 10(1) of the Tobacco Control Act Chapter 30:04 requires that no person shall manufacture, import, export or distribute tobacco products at wholesale without first obtaining a licence.

Section 10(10) of the Act states that no person shall sell tobacco products to, or purchase or acquire tobacco products from, any manufacturer, distributor, importer, exporter or wholesaler who is not licensed under the Act.

Yes. Section 37(2) of the Act provides that any person who acts in contravention of the Act commits an offence.

Section 16 of the Tobacco Control Act Chapter 30:04 provides that no person shall purchase any tobacco product through self-service means, including mail, the internet or automatic vending machines.

The Minister may, by Order, prohibit any other means of sale where the age of the purchaser cannot be verified at the point of sale.

As such, there is an absolute prohibition on the sale of tobacco products via the internet in Trinidad and Tobago.

Section 37(2) of the Act provides that any person who acts in contravention of the Act commits an offence.

Yes. Section 19 of the Act states that no person shall initiate, produce, publish, engage in or participate in any tobacco advertising, promotion or sponsorship.