Last updated: September 9, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The Tobacco Control Act requires health warnings on unit packaging and outside packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings on unit packaging and labeling.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The Tobacco Control Act requires health warnings on unit packaging and outside packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings on outside packaging and labeling.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
Warnings under the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019 are required to be in English.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning text being 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
Under the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, there is an affirmative requirement that warnings not be placed where they are not susceptible to being "removed, damaged, concealed, obstructed, obscured, disrupted (except during temporary opening of the package), covered, or changed by any package feature or mechanism . . . ."
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to requiring 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
Under the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, there is an affirmative requirement that warnings not be placed where they are not susceptible to being "removed, damaged, concealed, obstructed, obscured, disrupted (except during temporary opening of the package), covered, or changed by any package feature or mechanism, by any tax of other stamps or required markings, or by anything supplied by the manufacturer, importer or retail seller."
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to tax stamps or other required markings not being placed where they may conceal the health warnings.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
Under the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, qualitative constituents and emissions information is required to appear on the lateral sides of the package.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to qualitative constituents and emissions information.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
Under the Tobacco Control Regulations 2019, no quantitative information on constituents and emissions is allowed to appear on the pack.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to prohibiting the display of figures for emission yields.
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 Tobacco Control Act prohibits the use of "any term, descriptor, trademark, figurative or other sign that are false, misleading, deceptive or likely to directly or indirectly create an erroneous impression about the product's characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions" on tobacco product packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to prohibiting misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling.
