Last updated: February 14, 2022
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Ministry of Health; Ministry of Customs and Monopoly
The law regulates ingredients of cigarettes.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Ministry of Health; Ministry of Customs and Monopoly
The law establishes that the maximum emissions levels per cigarette are: 10 mg of tar; 1 mg of nicotine; 10 mg of carbon monoxide.
Sugars and sweeteners (other than those added to replace sugars lost during the curing process)
Examples of sugars and sweeteners include: glucose, molasses, honey and sorbitol.
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes with a unique or "characterizing aroma." Accordingly, sugars and sweeteners that produce a characterizing aroma are prohibited and the regulatory status code "Banned" is given.
The law notes that it does not prohibit “[t]he use of essential additives . . . to manufacture tobacco products, such as sugar to replace that lost during the handling process, unless these additives result in a product with a unique aroma and significantly and quantifiably increase the addiction, toxicity of the tobacco product or its CMR [carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic properties for reproduction].”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes with a unique or "characterizing aroma." “Characterizing aroma” is defined as "an odor or flavor that is clearly distinguishable other than from tobacco due to an additive or combination additives, including, but not only, fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, candies, menthol or vanilla, which is perceptible before or during consumption of the tobacco product." As menthol, mint or spearmint can produce characterizing aromas, their use in tobacco products is prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes with a unique or "characterizing aroma." “Characterizing aroma” is defined as "an odor or flavor that is clearly distinguishable other than from tobacco due to an additive or combination of additives, including, but not only, fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, candies, menthol or vanilla, which is perceptible before or during consumption of the tobacco product." As spices and herbs can produce characterizing aromas, their use in tobacco products is prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes.
Other flavorings (not covered above)
Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes with a unique or "characterizing aroma." “Characterizing aroma” is defined as "an odor or flavor that is clearly distinguishable other than from tobacco due to an additive or combination of additives, including, but not only, fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, candies, menthol or vanilla, which is perceptible before or during consumption of the tobacco product." As other flavorings (not covered above) can produce characterizing aromas, their use in tobacco products is prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes that contain "additives that facilitate the inhalation or absorption of nicotine."
The law furthers FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9 in that it regulates ingredients in cigarettes that facilitate nicotine uptake, such as ammonia.
Ingredients which may create an impression of health benefits
Examples include: vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, fruit and vegetables (and products resulting from their processing such as fruit juices), amino acids, such as cysteine and tryptophan, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes that contain "vitamins or other additives that create the impression that a tobacco product produces health benefits or involves fewer health risks."
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law prohibits the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits.
Ingredients associated with energy and vitality
Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes that contain "caffeine or taurine or other additives and stimulant compounds that refer to energy and vitality."
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law prohibits the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
Additives that have coloring properties for emissions
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes that contain "additives with emissions with dye properties."
Additives that have CMR properties in unburnt form
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes that contain "additives that have CMR properties in their unburned form."
