Last updated: August 2, 2022
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The Law on Tobacco Control and the Sub-Decree on Health Warnings require warnings on all "tobacco packages." "Tobacco packaging" is defined to all include all materials used in retail sale. Therefore, warnings are required on all unit packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The Law on Tobacco Control Law and the Sub-Decree on Health Warnings require warnings on all "tobacco packages." "Tobacco packaging" is defined to all include all materials used in retail sale. Therefore, warnings are required on all outside packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The Law on Tobacco Control and the Sub-Decree on Health Warnings requires the warning text to be in Khmer language, the principal language of Cambodia.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The Sub-Decree on Health Warnings requires that health warnings be visible and clear and "not obstructed by any other packaging, notes or labeling" in a way that would "deter the effectiveness" of the warnings. However, the law does not explicitly state that warnings may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should explicitly state 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 Sub-Decree on Health Warnings states that health warnings may "not be obstructed by any other packaging, notes or labeling" in a way that would "deter the effectiveness" of the warnings, "except tax stamps." Thus, tax stamps may be placed in a manner that conceals health warnings.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit any markings, including tax stamps, from concealing health warnings.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require the display of qualitative constituents and emissions messages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require the display of qualitative constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not prohibit the display of figures for emission yields.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should explicitly prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields as these may 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 on Tobacco Control prohibits the use of misleading terms on tobacco product packaging "including aroma and savory scent, light taste, mild taste, Vitamin taste and Caffeine taste." The use of trademarks, figures, colors, logos, and other misleading signs is not specifically prohibited. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Some Restrictions" is given.
To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should prohibit all misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, and figurative or other signs.
