Smoking In Brunei: What's The Law?

Smoking in Brunei is prohibited in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces, including indoor stadiums, bars, hotels, prisons, and public transport. However, hotel guest rooms are not required to be smoke-free, and smoking is permitted on trains and watercraft. The laws surrounding e-cigarettes are confusing, but their use is banned in certain public places and on public transport. While it is illegal to purchase or import e-cigarettes, they can still be found in stores.

Smoking is prohibited in most enclosed public places and workplaces

Smoking is strictly prohibited in most enclosed public places and workplaces in Brunei. This includes all indoor public places and indoor workplaces, as well as public transport such as buses and trains.

The Tobacco (Prohibition in Certain Places) Regulations, 2007 initially allowed for smoking areas in office premises. However, an amendment in 2012 removed these provisions, making all listed places 100% smoke-free. This means that smoking is banned in all government facilities, residential and non-residential healthcare facilities, childcare facilities, schools, universities, indoor stadiums, bars, pubs, nightclubs, hotels (excluding guest rooms), prisons, and many other locations.

Additionally, smoking is not allowed on sidewalks near business premises or within a six-metre radius of smoke-free buildings. This extends to the outdoor areas of "government premises" and "office premises", ensuring that smoking is kept at a distance from these locations.

It is important to note that while hotel guest rooms are exempt from the smoke-free requirements, other public areas within hotels, such as lobbies and corridors, are still subject to the smoking prohibition.

The restrictions on smoking in Brunei are part of the country's comprehensive Tobacco Control Policies, which aim to protect public health and reduce the harm caused by tobacco use. These policies include measures such as restrictions on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, as well as mandatory health warnings on tobacco product packaging.

Tobacco advertising is banned, except in some foreign publications

Smoking is heavily restricted in Brunei. It is prohibited in all enclosed public places and workplaces, on sidewalks near business premises, and within a six-metre radius of smoke-free buildings. This includes all indoor workplaces, public transport, government facilities, healthcare facilities, schools, universities, indoor stadiums, bars, hotels, prisons, and more. Hotel guest rooms are notably exempt from this rule and smoking is permitted on trains and watercraft.

The sale of tobacco products is highly regulated. It is prohibited to sell tobacco via vending machines, single cigarettes, small packets of cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. Tobacco products cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18. The sale of e-cigarettes is also prohibited, and their use is banned in the same places as smoking.

Most forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship are banned in Brunei. This includes domestic TV and radio, promotional discounts, domestic magazines and newspapers, billboards, posters, paid media placement, and internet advertising. However, tobacco advertising is permitted in some foreign publications and point-of-sale product displays. While tobacco sponsorship is not completely prohibited, publicity of the sponsorship is.

Taxes must be paid on cigarettes brought into the country

If you are visiting Brunei and wish to bring cigarettes into the country, you must be aware of the relevant taxes and duties that need to be paid. While it is possible to bring your own cigarettes, failure to declare them and pay the appropriate taxes can result in fines and confiscation.

The Tobacco Order (2005) regulates the importation and sale of tobacco products in Brunei. According to this legislation, you must pay taxes on cigarettes brought into the country. The specific tax amount is $0.50 per cigarette stick, which equates to $10 per packet and $100 per carton. These taxes need to be paid at the customs counter when declaring your cigarettes.

It is important to properly declare your cigarettes at customs to avoid any legal issues. Simply placing your cigarette pack on the X-ray tray may be considered a declaration, but it is advisable to explicitly declare them to avoid any confusion or disputes with customs officers. If you are unsure about the process, it is best to consult with the customs authorities or seek advice from locals or other travellers.

In addition to the taxes, it is crucial to be mindful of the quantity of cigarettes you bring into Brunei. While there doesn't seem to be a specified maximum limit, bringing a large quantity that could be interpreted as "intent-to-supply" might raise red flags. To avoid any potential issues, it is recommended to bring only what you need for personal consumption.

Furthermore, it is essential to be cautious about smoking in public places in Brunei. Smoking is prohibited in virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces, sidewalks near business premises, and within a six-metre radius of smoke-free buildings. Hotel guest rooms, trains, and watercraft are exempted from these restrictions. Always ensure you smoke in permitted areas to avoid fines and penalties.

E-cigarettes are prohibited in certain public places

E-cigarettes are classified as tobacco imitation products in Brunei, and their sale and importation are prohibited by the Tobacco Order (2005). This means that while you can use an e-cigarette in areas that permit smoking tobacco, it is illegal to purchase or bring one into the country. This has led to a situation where people are able to use e-cigarettes in some public places, but the devices themselves are hard to acquire legally. E-cigarette products can be found in stores throughout the country even though it is technically illegal to sell them.

The Tobacco Order (2005) is the primary tobacco control legislation in Brunei. It regulates smoke-free places, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and tobacco packaging and labelling. The Order also authorises the issuance of implementing regulations, such as the Tobacco (Prohibition in Certain Places) Regulations, 2007, which initially allowed for smoking areas in office premises. However, these regulations were amended in 2012 to remove the provisions allowing smoking areas, making all listed places 100% smoke-free.

In addition to the Tobacco Order, there are other laws that restrict smoking in Brunei. Smoking is prohibited in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces, on sidewalks near business premises, and within a six-metre radius of smoke-free buildings. Hotel guest rooms are exempt from this rule and are not required to be smoke-free. Smoking is also allowed on trains and watercraft, but it is prohibited on all other means of public transport. The outdoor areas of "government premises" and "office premises" are also designated as smoke-free.

Cigarettes can be smoked in hotel rooms

Smoking in Brunei is prohibited in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces, including indoor stadiums, bars, pubs, nightclubs, and hotels (in public areas). However, hotel guest rooms are an exception to this rule and are not required to be smoke-free.

If you are a smoker visiting Brunei, you can bring your own cigarettes, but you will need to pay a tax of $0.50 per cigarette stick. It is best to buy from duty-free shops and declare your cigarettes at customs to avoid fines and confiscation.

While in Brunei, be mindful that smoking is prohibited on sidewalks near business premises and within a six-metre radius of smoke-free buildings. Smoking is also not allowed on most public transport, except for trains and watercraft.

It is important to note that the sale and use of e-cigarettes are prohibited in Brunei, and you may face fines if caught using them in restricted areas.

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