Finance Minister Mohamed Lamine Lebbou has extended the deadline for tobacco distributors to comply with new regulatory requirements until March 31, 2027. This update modifies the June 2025 decree governing the licensing of tobacco distribution. To operate, distributors must secure an official license from the Directorate General of Taxes, which is restricted to Algerian nationals with tax residency in the country. The regulations require business premises to cover at least 300 square meters, with a minimum of 200 square meters of continuous floor space, and must include permanent illuminated signage. Distributors are mandated to secure their storage facilities, comply with all tax laws, and restrict sales exclusively to registered tobacco retailers. Licenses are issued for a renewable five-year term, subject to revocation if the strict terms of the regulatory agreement are violated.