Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
35% of Front, 35% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
3
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
- one year (or used simultaneously)
Analysis
Text-only health warnings are required to occupy no less than 35% of the front and back of packs and cartons. Under the regulations, the height of the Chinese characters should be no less than 4.0 mm on cigarette packs and 6.5 mm on cigarette cartons. In total, three text-only messages are approved - one for the front, and two for the back. The two messages for the back can be used simultaneously or rotated after one year.
The requirements for health warnings/messages may technically meet the minimum FCTC Art. 11 requirements with respect to the space taken up by the warnings and to rotation. However, to better align with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the rules should require, at a minimum, multiple pictorial warnings showing the different tobacco-caused harms that occupy at least 50% of all principal display areas and that change after a specified period of time.
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
Uncertain
Rotation
Uncertain
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
0
Length of Rotation Period
Uncertain
Analysis
We understand that currently smokeless tobacco products have negligible sales in China. Therefore, we have not comprehensively reviewed the requirements of health warnings on these tobacco products.
To meet FCTC Art. 11, all tobacco products as defined in FCTC Art. 1(f), including smokeless tobacco products, must display large, clear, visible, legible, and rotating health warnings that should cover 50% or more but no less than 30% of the principal display areas. Warnings should be composed of both images and text depicting different tobacco-caused harms.
