Last updated: January 22, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
Article 56 of the Public Health Law requires health warnings on “cases, packages or containers in which such tobacco products are marketed”. JS 466:2012 clearly requires warnings on cigarette packs. Therefore, warnings are required on unit packaging and labeling. However, this is for cigarettes only, not other smoked tobacco products or smokeless tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to unit packaging and labeling of cigarettes. However, to fully meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require warnings on unit packaging of all tobacco products.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
Article 56 of the Public Health Law requires warnings on “cases, packages or containers in which such tobacco products are marketed”. Although most of JS 466:2012 specifies the requirements of warnings on individual packs of cigarettes, the Appendix states that each carton "must contain at least one warning graphic label."
Warnings are currently not required on unit or outside packaging of other smoked tobacco products or smokeless tobacco products because regulations have not yet been issued for these products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons) of cigarettes. However, to fully meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require warnings on the outside packaging of all tobacco products.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
JS 466:2012 standards (implementing regulations) provide the warnings that must be placed on cigarette packages and these warnings are in Arabic. Therefore, the regulations meet FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings being in the principal language 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
JS 466:2012 (the implementing regulations) state that “health warning must be placed on the main display panel in a way that ensures not hiding any written information concerning the health warning upon opening the cigarette package.” The regulations align 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
The law does not affirmatively require that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal the health warnings or messages, nor does it affirmatively state that the warnings must be clearly displayed. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law and/or implementing regulations should affirmatively require that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require the display of qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines paras. 32-35, the law should require that relevant qualitative statements be displayed on each unit packet or package about the emissions and constituents of the tobacco product.
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 emissions yields, but rather requires the display of the “percentage of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide” on each cigarette pack.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines paras. 32-35, the law should prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields as this may imply that one tobacco product is less harmful than another. In addition, the law should require that relevant qualitative statements be displayed on each unit packet or package about the emissions and constituents of the tobacco product.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Jordan. 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)
JS 466:2012 (the implementing regulations) states that: “It is forbidden to put any promotional statements or misleading signals or information on the cigarette packages suggesting that cigarettes are not harmful.” This is interpreted as prohibiting misleading terms, descriptors, trademarks, or figurative or other signs that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products. The regulations meet FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
