Last updated: September 17, 2019
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires health warnings on both of the main exposed surfaces of each primary package.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires that warnings and messages are on outside packaging and labeling.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires that the health warnings be in Spanish.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to warning text 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 that health warnings "must always be visible to the public." However, the law does not explicitly require that warnings or messages not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack. Therefore, the regulatory status "Uncertain" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should explicitly require that warnings or messages 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 affirmatively require that tax stamps and other required markings not be placed where they may conceal health warnings or messages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should specify that tax stamps and other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal health warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires that a message noting that the product contains nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide be displayed on its outer surface.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in requiring the display of qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not specifically prohibit emissions figures to be displayed on tobacco products. Although the law prohibits the use of misleading terms and messages that could cause a consumer to believe a tobacco product is less harmful than it really is, the law does not specifically prohibit the use of figurative yields.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should explicitly prohibit the display of figures for emission yields on packaging.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in El Salvador.
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 prohibits tobacco products from using descriptive terms or elements, factory or trademarks, figurative or other kinds of signs, that have the direct or indirect effect of creating the false, mistaken or misleading impression that a particular tobacco product is less harmful than others, such as the phrases "low in tar content,” "light,” "ultra-light" or "mild," among others, are prohibited.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to the prohibition on misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, or figurative or other signs.
