Last updated: January 9, 2023

Health Warnings/Messages Features

Type of product: Smoked Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Pictograms (Illustrations/Cartoons), Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
65% of Front, 65% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
6
Length of Rotation Period
Specified - 12 months
Analysis

Health warnings are to be displayed on 65% of the two principal display areas (front and back) of each package. On the front surface, tobacco manufacturers must choose three of nine “additional” combined (text and picture) warning messages and corresponding images to be used for a period of a year. A phone number is required to be a part of each “additional” warning. On the back surface, one of three text-only “principal” health warnings must be displayed, with the three warnings used equally throughout the year. The image must not cover less than 70% of the space allocated for the health warnings if appearing in one language and 60% if appearing in two languages.

Health warnings must be printed in a computer font, bolded, in black letters on a white background with a black 1mm border that does not interfere with the text, or vice versa, with white letters on a black background with a white 1mm border that does not interfere with the text.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 and aligns with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that warnings meet the minimum size requirements of covering at least 30% (and more than 50%) of the principal display areas, the warnings contain pictures as well as text, and rotation is required.

Type of product: Smokeless Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
30% of Front, 30% of Back
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
1
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
Analysis

The law requires a text-only health warning message to appear on 30% of the front and back of the packaging of smokeless tobacco products. The prescribed message must read: “Tobacco use causes dependence and harms your health. In order to stop smoking, please call: 116001, the call is free.”

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to size (30% of the principal display areas). However, to further align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require a combined text and picture warning that occupies 50% or more of the principal display areas of the pack. In addition, more than one warning should be authorized and these warnings should be rotated and updated over time.