Last updated: March 9, 2020
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. Imported products must display the country of origin and the health warnings as required in that country.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. Imported products must display the country of origin and the health warnings as required in that country.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. Imported products must display the country of origin and the health warnings as required in that country.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. Imported products must display the country of origin and the health warnings as required in that country.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. Imported products must display the country of origin and the health warnings as required in that country.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. The packaging of imported products must display “information on relevant constituents and emissions.” However, no additional information is provided, such as, for example, whether this information must be descriptive only.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. The packaging of imported products must display “information on relevant constituents and emissions.” However, no additional information is provided, such as, for example, whether such information may not contain figurative emission yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Bhutan. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. Imported products must display the country of origin and the health warnings as required in that country.
The FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines provide that Parties should consider adopting plain packaging measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images, or other promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. Plain packaging aims to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, to increase the noticeability of health warnings, and to reduce the ability of the packaging of tobacco products to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking.
Prohibition on misleading tobacco packaging & labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs (logos, colors, images that directly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products)
The sale of tobacco products is prohibited in Bhutan. Tobacco products may be imported only for personal use. Further, imported products are prohibited from promoting a tobacco product by “any means that are false, misleading, deceptive or likely to create an erroneous impression about its characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions and any other indications that creates the false impression that a particular tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.” Therefore, misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling is prohibited.
