Criteria

The tobacco category includes taxation (30%), advertising (10%), smoking ban (30%), packaging restrictions (10%), retail display ban (10%), oral tobacco (‘snus’) prohibition (5%) and vending machine bans (5%).

Taxation. Calculated in a similar way to alcohol taxation (see above). Tax rates are taken from the European Commission and adjusted for purchasing power. The highest taxing country scores 100. Other countries are scored as a percentage of the highest tax. The sore out of 100 is then adjusted to make a score out of 30.

Advertising. Scored out of 10. A total ban scores 10 points, a total ban except at point of sale scores 9 points. If other advertising is permitted, a lower score is awarded, but all TPD-compliant countries score at least 6 points.

Smoking ban. Divided into five subcategories, each scoring up to 10 points. These are: bar, restaurant, workplace, cars and outdoors. Points are awarded according to the size and scope of the ban with the final score out of 50 adjusted to make it a score out of 30.

Packaging. Regulation of tobacco packaging in excess of TPD provisions can earn additional points. Countries with a full ban on branding (‘plain’ or ‘standardised’ packaging) get ten points.

Display ban. Countries which prohibit retailers from displaying tobacco products behind their counter are awarded ten points.

Vending machine ban. Prohibition of cigarette vending machines earns five points.

Snus. Prohibition of this form of oral tobacco earns five points. The EU bans snus in every member state except Sweden.