Last updated: September 14, 2021

Health Warnings/Messages Features

Type of product: Smoked Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Pictures (Photos), Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
80% of Front, 80% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
2
Length of Rotation Period
Specified - 2 years
Analysis

Administrative Order No. 039 was issued under the Tobacco Control Law and requires combined picture and text warnings on the front and back of the packaging (or on each main surface if there are more than two surfaces). The health warning must cover at least 80% of the main surfaces of the packaging. Health warnings must be printed in French and Arabic in white text on a black background. The text of the warnings must be in all capital letters and must be centered on the surface where it appears.

Administrative Order No. 145 amends the previous order to require that the warning placed on the front surface be located on the upper part of the display area, and that the warning placed on the back surface be located on the lower part of the display area.

Order No. 420 contains two combined picture and text warnings, with one combined warning to appear on the front of the package and the other combined warning to appear on the back of the package. These warnings are to be used for a 24-month period.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that it requires warnings that occupy more than 50% of display areas with different pictorial warning which must be reviewed every two years.

Type of product: Smokeless Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Pictures (Photos), Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
80% of Front, 80% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
2
Length of Rotation Period
Specified - 2 years
Analysis

Administrative Order No. 039 was issued under the Tobacco Control Law and requires combined picture and text warnings on the upper front and the upper back of the packaging (or on each main surface if there are more than two surfaces). The health warning must cover at least 80% of the main surfaces of the packaging. Health warnings must be printed in French and Arabic in white text on a black background. The text of the warnings must be in all capital letters and must be centered on the surface where it appears.

Administrative Order No. 145 amends the previous order to require that the warning placed on the front surface be located on the upper part of the display area, and that the warning placed on the back surface be located on the lower part of the display area.

Order No. 420 contains two combined picture and text warnings, with one combined warning to appear on the front of the package and the other combined warning to appear on the back of the package. These warnings are to be used for a 24-month period. The contents of the warnings that have been issued is specific to smoked tobacco products.

The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that it requires warnings that occupy more than 50% of display areas with different pictorial warning which must be reviewed every two years. To better align, the content of the health warnings for smokeless tobacco products should address the specific dangers of smokeless tobacco.