Health Warnings/Messages Features

Last updated: April 13, 2020

Type of product: Smoked Tobacco Products

Pictures (Photos), Text Warnings/Messages
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
50% of Front, 60% of Back, Side(s)
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
7
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed on Front / Back at Any Given Time
Required
Rotation
Specified- 24 months
Length of Rotation Period
Analysis

A combined picture and text health warning is required to cover 50% of the front principal display area and 60% of the back principal display area of the pack, positioned in the lower portion.

On cartons and other outside packaging, a text-only health warning is required to cover 50% of the front and back surfaces, positioned on the left-hand side.

It is our understanding that at least seven pictorial health warnings have been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority. Warnings are required to be "frequently rotated" within a period of 24 months.

The FDA Guidelines state that the lateral surface of the unit and outside packaging of smoked tobacco products should display "information on the constituents and emissions of the product as specified by the electronic file." Three statements have been issued:

- Tobacco contains Nicotine which is addictive.

- Smoke from tobacco contains Carbon Monoxide that affects breathing.

- Arsenic causes cancer of the lung, skin, bladder, liver and kidney.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 and aligns with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that the warnings occupy at least 50% of the principal display areas.

Type of product: Smokeless Tobacco Products

Pictures (Photos), Text Warnings/Messages
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
65% of Front, 65% of Back
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
7
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed on Front / Back at Any Given Time
Required
Rotation
Specified- 24 months
Length of Rotation Period
Analysis

The law requires a health warning to cover 65% of the front and back principal display areas of smokeless tobacco product packaging.

It is our understanding that the same health warnings that are prescribed for packages of smoked tobacco products are to appear on packages of smokeless tobacco products as well. At least seven pictorial health warnings have been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority. Warnings are required to be "frequently rotated" within a period of 24 months.

The law meets FCTC Art. 11 and aligns with the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that the warnings occupy at least 50% of the principal display areas. To more fully align, the content of the health warnings for smokeless tobacco products should address the specific dangers of smokeless tobacco.