Last updated: February 14, 2022
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
Decree No. 6 of January 12, 2016 requires warnings on each unit pack of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
Decree No. 6 of January 12, 2016 requires warnings on outside packaging of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
Decree No. 6 of January 12, 2016 provides the health warnings that must appear on tobacco products. These warnings, as set forth, are in Italian, the principal language of the country.
Therefore, the law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning text being in the principal language of the country. For greater clarity, the law should contain an affirmative requirement that the text of the health warnings be in the principal language(s).
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
Decree No. 6 of January 12, 2016 requires that health warnings remain intact when opening the pack.
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
Decree No. 6 of January 12, 2016 requires that health warnings be fully visible and not partially or fully concealed or truncated by fiscal stamps.
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
Decree No. 6 of January 12, 2016 requires smoked tobacco product packages to contain the following message on one lateral side: “Tobacco smoke contains over 70 carcinogens.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to displaying qualitative constituent and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law prohibits information on packaging regarding the nicotine, tar, or carbon monoxide content of the tobacco product.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to prohibiting the display of figures for emission yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Italy. 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)
Decree No. 6 of January 12, 2016 prohibits the use on tobacco product packaging of information “providing an incorrect impression about the features, health effects, risks or emissions” of the product or “that a particular tobacco product is less harmful than others”, including “texts, symbols, names, trademarks, figurative signs or other.”
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to misleading product packaging.
