Last updated: July 20, 2022
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires health warnings on all unit packaging of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings on unit packaging.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
Although the law does not contain a definition of “outside packaging and labeling,” the law is interpreted as requiring health warnings on both unit and outside (e.g., carton) retail packaging. Order No. 5673-2002 (as amended) updated the contents of the health warnings to appear on tobacco product packaging, and established different warning contents for unit packaging and outside packaging. The health warning “Smoking Kills” is required on all outside packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings on outside packaging.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires that the warnings be written in Hebrew on the front principal display areas and in Arabic on the rear principal display area.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings in the principal languages 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 does not affirmatively require that warnings or messages not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack. In fact, for tobacco products other than cigarettes, the law permits the warning to be “printed on or affixed to the front of the wrapping.” This suggests that the warning could be placed on a discardable wrapper for tobacco products other than cigarettes.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should affirmatively require that warnings 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 does not prescribe where the tax stamps may be placed, nor does it explicitly state that health warnings may not be concealed by tax stamps or other required markings.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should state that tax stamps and other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal health warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require qualitative constituent and emissions messages. Although one of the prescribed health warnings states: “Warning! Each cigarette introduces 43 carcinogens into your body”, it is important that this or a similar message is displayed on each tobacco product package in addition to the prescribed health warnings.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should affirmatively require qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages and prohibit the display of quantitative yields of emissions as such figures can be misleading to consumers.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not prohibit the display of figures for emission yields.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should affirmatively require qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages and prohibit the display of quantitative yields of emissions as such figures can be misleading to consumers.
Plain or standardized packaging
As of January 8, 2020, plain packaging of all smoking products, excluding cigars and pipe tobacco sold in specialty tobacco shops, is required.
Cigarette packaging must be in a standard color (i.e., Pantone 448C). Only prescribed information may appear on product packaging, including brand name. The law further provides for the appearance of this information, requiring such items as standardized font, font size, and color. Other smoking product packaging (excluding cigars and pipe tobacco sold in specialty tobacco shops) is standardized as well. The law further prohibits the sale of a smoking product unless an insert is attached to the packet or package regarding the damages of smoking and forms of assistance for smoking cessation.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to plain packaging.
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 of text, names, trademarks, graphic descriptions, or other markings on tobacco product packaging that imply that the tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products. In addition, the law prohibits the use of the following terms: “light,” “ultra light,” “low tar,” and “mild.” The prohibition applies regardless of whether the terms are translated to Hebrew or Arabic and applies to terms similar to them, derived from them, or having a similar meaning.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to misleading terms, descriptors, and other signs.
