Last updated: July 28, 2023
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires warnings on all unit and outside packaging and labeling.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning labels on unit packaging.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires warnings on all unit and outside packaging and labeling.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning labels on outside packaging.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law does not specify the language of the warning text. Regulations on health warnings have not yet been issued. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require that warning text appearing in the principal language 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 requires health warnings to be placed “in a manner that always ensures the graphical integrity and visibility of the text, photographs and cessation information.” This is interpreted as requiring placement of warnings in such a way as to not be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to warnings not being 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 requires that health warnings “shall not be partially or totally hidden or covered by special stamps, price marks, security features, or other items.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to a requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires health warnings on the front, back and side panels of packages. As qualitative constituent and emissions messages are usually placed on side panels, the law may require qualitative messages on side panels. However, because the regulations on health warnings have not yet been issued, it is not certain that such qualitative messages are required. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, regulations should be issued with the relevant descriptive constituents and emissions warnings.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law prohibits the display of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide emissions levels on packaging and labeling.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the display of figures for emission yields on tobacco product packaging.
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 notice ability 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 prohibits on tobacco product packaging the use of “text, colors or pictures, names, designs, and figurative or other signs that suggest that a certain product is less harmful than others, including the trademark, such as the words ‘light’, ‘ultra-light’, ‘mild’, ‘low-tar’, ‘slim’ or their corresponding translations, as well as any graphic design associated with tobacco or with the intent of associating itself with any such descriptions.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to the use of terms, descriptors, or other signs that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
