Last updated: January 22, 2021
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization
The law regulates contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes by allowing only permitted additives. The law requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.”
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization
The law prohibits emissions levels from exceeding the following: Carbon monoxide: 12 mg/cigarette; Tar: 10 mg/cigarette; Nicotine: 1 mg/cigarette.
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 requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.” Sugars and sweeteners are permitted by FEMA GRAS. Therefore, the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.” Menthol, mint, and spearmint are permitted by FEMA GRAS. Therefore, the use of menthol, mint, and spearmint in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of 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 requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.” Spices and herbs are generally permitted by FEMA GRAS. However, a comprehensive search of all ingredients that may be considered spices or herbs cannot be performed. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of 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 requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.” FEMA GRAS permits some but not all other flavorings to be used in cigarettes. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit or restrict the use of all ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.” Ammonia is not permitted under FEMA GRAS. Therefore, the use of ammonia in cigarettes is not allowed.
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 requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.” Ingredients that may create an impression of health benefits, such as vitamins, vegetables and amino acids are permitted by FEMA GRAS. However, a comprehensive search of all ingredients that may increase the impression of health benefits cannot be performed. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit 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 requires that “additives used in manufacturing tobacco (combination) must be of the additives permitted in the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, Generally Recognized As Safe list, FEMA GRAS.” Ingredients associated with energy and vitality, such as caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone are permitted by FEMA GRAS. However, a comprehensive search of all ingredients associated with energy and vitality cannot be performed. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Uncertain” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
