Last updated: December 13, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require health warnings on all tobacco products, including unit packaging and labeling.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require health warnings on all tobacco products, including outside packaging and labeling. In addition, the law should include a definition of “outside packaging and labeling” in accordance with the definition provided in FCTC Art. 11(4).
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law shall require health warnings on all tobacco products and the warning text shall be in the principal language(s) of the country.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require health warnings on all tobacco products and that warnings may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require health warnings on all tobacco products and that tax stamps and other markings may not be placed where they may conceal other warnings.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require health warnings on all tobacco products and include a requirement to display qualitative constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require health warnings on all packaging and labeling and should prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields as these can be misleading to consumers.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required. 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 law does not set forth packaging and labeling requirements on tobacco products. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require health warnings on all tobacco products and should include a prohibition on misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling.
