Last updated: July 20, 2022
Main Policies
Sale of heated tobacco products
The law allows the sale of “smoking products,” which, by definition, includes HTPs subject to restrictions, including notification requirements, a ban on vending machine sales, and a minimum sales age.
Use in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport
The law prohibits the use of “smoking products,” which, by definition, includes HTPs in specified indoor public places and indoor workplaces, including government offices, hospitals, childcare facilities and preschools, and primary and secondary schools. The law permits designated smoking rooms in other indoor public places and indoor workplaces, such as malls, restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs.
Advertising and promotion (excluding point of sale product display)
The law generally prohibits advertising and promotion of “smoking products,” which, by definition, include tobacco inserts. However, there are exceptions to the ban. These include limited forms of advertising in certain printed newspapers, which will be eliminated on April 1, 2029. There are several transitional measures in place until that date, including increasing the area of the required announcement about the dangers of smoking, prohibiting a smoking product from being represented as preferable to another type of smoking product, and requiring that any package shown in the advertisement be in uniform (plain) packaging. Additional advertising exceptions include art, news, or documentary/investigative articles which were not made with the purpose of promotion; art for promotion which was displayed prior to the 2019 amendment of the law; certain advertisements for products with similar names that existed prior to 2001; or a written advertisement delivered to an adult provided that this has been requested in advance and in writing.
Further, any advertisements permitted under the law must include a warning in a prominent place occupying 30% of the advertisement; the warning must appear in the same language as the advertisement and be placed on a white background with a black frame. The advertisement must contain the following message “Warning – this product is highly addictive and damaging to your health”. In a newspaper, this must generally be placed adjacent to the advertisement.
Additionally, no advertisement for a “smoking product” (tobacco insert) may display an illustration of an animal, fruit, plant or an animation on the product packaging.
The law generally prohibits advertising and promotion of “smoking products,” which, by definition, include devices. However, there are exceptions to the ban. These include limited forms of advertising in certain printed newspapers, which will be eliminated on April 1, 2029. There are several transitional measures in place until that date, including increasing the area of the required announcement about the dangers of smoking, prohibiting a smoking product from being represented as preferable to another type of smoking product, and requiring that any package shown in the advertisement be in uniform (plain) packaging. Additional advertising exceptions include, art, news, or documentary/investigative articles which were not made with the purpose of promotion; art for promotion which was displayed prior to the 2019 amendment of the law; certain advertisements for products with similar names that existed prior to 2001; or a written advertisement delivered to an adult provided that this has been requested in advance and in writing.
Further, any advertisements permitted under the law must include a warning in a prominent place occupying 30% of the advertisement; the warning must appear in the same language as the advertisement and be placed on a white background with a black frame. The advertisement must contain the following message “Warning – this product is highly addictive and damaging to your health”. In a newspaper, this must generally be placed adjacent to the advertisement.
Additionally, no advertisement for a “smoking product” (device) may display an illustration of an animal, fruit, plant or an animation on the product packaging.
Point of sale product display
The law generally prohibits point of sale product display for “smoking products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts. However, there are exceptions for specialized shops that contain “smoking products” and alcohol - where the products are not visible from the shop exterior; and a shop with a separate section for smoking products, not visible from other parts of the shop.
The law generally prohibits point of sale product display for “smoking products,” which, by definition, includes devices. However, there are exceptions for specialized shops that contain “smoking products” and alcohol - where the products are not visible from the shop exterior; and a shop with a separate section for smoking products, not visible from other parts of the shop.
Sale of heated tobacco products via the internet
The law permits the sale of “smoking products” via the internet, which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts, but only the following information may be displayed online: name of the product, country of production, price, and components and quantity in the product.
The law permits the sale of “smoking products” via the internet, which, by definition, includes devices, but only the following information may be displayed online: name of the product, country of production, price, and components and quantity in the product.
Sale of heated tobacco products via vending machines
The law bans the sale of “smoking products” via vending machines which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts.
The law bans the sale of “smoking products” via vending machines which, by definition, includes devices.
Flavors
The law does not restrict flavors in HTPs.
Specified ingredients/additives
The law does not restrict or prohibit ingredients and additives for use in HTPs.
Health warnings on product packaging
The law requires text-only health warnings for tobacco inserts covering 65% of each of the two principal display areas and any external packaging.
The law requires text-only health warnings for devices covering 30% of each of the two principal display areas and any external packaging. The health warning text required is, “Warning – smoking causes serious diseases and premature death.”
Other product packaging and labeling requirements
The law requires plain packaging of “smoking products,” which, by definition, includes tobacco inserts. Packaging must be the color Pantone 448C and can include only a health warning, brand name, and manufacturer/importer name. This information must be printed on the bottom of the package, in a specified font, in Pantone Cool Gray 2C, and the font size cannot exceed 14 points.
Additionally, packaging must contain a leaflet with a message about the damage caused by harmfulness of smoking, a message for help with quitting, and a reference to smoking cessation treatment.
The law requires plain packaging of “smoking products,” which, by definition, includes devices. Packaging must be the color Pantone 448C and can include only a health warning, brand name, and manufacturer/importer name. This information must be printed on the bottom of the package, in a specified font, in Pantone Cool Gray 2C, and the font size cannot exceed 14 points.
Additionally, packaging must contain a leaflet with a message about the damage caused by harmfulness of smoking, a message for help with quitting, and a reference to smoking cessation treatment.
Manufacturer/importer disclosure and/or notification requirements
The law requires manufacturers and importers to submit annual reports to the Ministry of Health for each product. These include a report listing all advertising expenses the previous year and a report listing ingredients, quantities, purpose, emissions, toxicological information, and effect on human health. Except for trade secrets, this information is publicly disclosed.