Tunisia's parliament is currently debating a draft law that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18. This initiative revives a similar proposal from 2017 that was never enacted.
According to reports from Tunisian media outlets such as Mosaïque FM and Business News, the new bill includes stricter penalties for vendors who sell tobacco to minors, with fines ranging from 500 to 5,000 Tunisian dinars. The law also aims to ban smoking in public places and restrict tobacco advertising.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 30% of Tunisian adults smoke, and tobacco use is linked to over 13,000 deaths annually in the country. Health advocates argue that the 2017 law failed due to lack of political will and pressure from the tobacco industry.
As of June 8, 2026, the bill is still under review by parliamentary committees. No date has been set for a final vote.
