Last updated: February 2, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires that health warnings be printed on all “sales packaging,” which is defined as unit retail packaging.
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 that health warnings be printed on all “grouped packaging,” which is defined as packaging for more than one unit and includes outside packaging.
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 requires warning text to be in Estonian.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to 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 that “the general health warning, the health information message and the combined health warnings shall be positioned such that the opening of the packaging does not make the text illegible, incomprehensible or distorted.”
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 warning text “is not hidden or interrupted by tax stamps, unique identifiers, price marks, security features, wrappers, jackets, boxes, 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 the display of the following qualitative constituents and emissions message on one side panel of cigarettes and smoked tobacco packaging: “Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to qualitative constituent and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law prohibits labeling of tobacco products from including “information about the nicotine, tar or carbon monoxide content of the tobacco product.”
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 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 the “shape or labelling” of tobacco products to mislead the consumer. Specifically, the law prohibits on the tobacco product labeling text or images that create an erroneous impression about the characteristics, health effects, risks, or emissions of the tobacco product, and text or images that suggest that a particular tobacco product is less harmful than others.
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.
