Last updated: June 5, 2024
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The Regulations require warnings on all unit packaging and all outside packaging used in the retail sale of the product.
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 Regulations require warnings on all unit packaging and all outside packaging used in the retail sale of the product.
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
Warning text must be in Icelandic.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings 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 Regulations mandate that warnings “shall in no way be hidden, obscured or interrupted by other written or pictorial matter or by the opening of the packet.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The Regulations mandate that warnings “shall in no way be hidden, obscured or interrupted by other written or pictorial matter or by the opening of the packet.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require the display of qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages; rather, the law requires the display of quantitative yields for tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide covering 10% of one side of the package.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require qualitative statements about constituents and emissions and prohibit the display of figurative yields for tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
Currently, the law does not prohibit the display of figurative yields, but rather, the law requires the display of figurative yields for tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide covering 10% of one side of the package.
However, beginning January 11, 2025, the law will prohibit on tobacco product packaging, and on the tobacco product itself, any “markings, whether text, name, trademark, images and figurative or other signs, that . . . provides information on the nicotine, tar or carbon monoxide content of the tobacco product.”
Once this provision is in effect, 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 use on tobacco packaging of texts, names, trademarks and figurative or other signs suggesting that the product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
