Last updated: January 24, 2022
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires warnings on "boxes and packets" of tobacco. This is interpreted as requiring warnings on all unit packaging. Under Standard Specification No. 546 (IQS 546/2018), warnings are required on all cigarette packs and cartons.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires warnings on "boxes and packets" of tobacco. This is interpreted as requiring warnings on all outside packaging. Under Standard Specification No. 546 (IQS 546/2018), warnings are required on all cigarette packs and cartons.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The Anti-Smoking Act requires that warnings be in both Arabic and Kurdish languages. Directive No. 1, which implements the Anti-Smoking Act, requires that warnings be in Arabic, Kurdish, and English. Standard Specification No. 546 (IQS 546/2018), which contains the warnings for cigarette packs and cartons, requires that warnings be in Arabic and permits the use of any other language.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings being displayed in the principal language(s) 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 "conspicuous" health warnings be carried on tobacco product packages. However, it does not explicitly state that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should clearly state that warnings or messages 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
The law requires that "conspicuous" health warnings be carried on tobacco product packages. However, it does not explicitly state that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should clearly state 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 does not require the display of qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require the display of qualitative constituents and emissions messages on tobacco product packaging and labeling.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law requires cigarette packaging to display figures for emissions yields for tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the display of figures for emission yields, including tar and nicotine yields, as these figures can be misleading to consumers.
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 on cigarette packages any deceptive promotional statements, references, or information to convince the consumer that they are not harmful to health.
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.
