Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
30% of Front, 50% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
11
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
- 12 months
Analysis
A combined picture and text health warning must occupy at least 30% of the front and 50% of the back of smoked tobacco product packages. The warning on the front must be in English and the warning on the back must be in Kiswahili. Under the Regulations, there are 11 authorized picture/text warnings for smoked tobacco products. Even distribution and rotation of the 11 combined picture/text warnings is required in a 12-month period. The law and regulations do not state how frequently the Minister of Health must update the warnings and messages.
The law meets the FCTC Art. 11 minimum size requirement for health warnings in that the front warning must occupy at least 30% of the display area. However, to more fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require both the warnings on the front and back of the package to occupy at least 50% of the display area. In addition, the law should require the Minister of Health to update the content of the health warnings every 12-36 months.
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
30% of Front, 50% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
6
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
- 12 Months
Analysis
A combined picture and text health warning must occupy at least 30% of the front and 50% of the back of smoked tobacco product packages. The warning on the front must be in English and the warning on the back must be in Kiswahili. Under the Regulations, there are six authorized picture/text warnings for smoked tobacco products. However, the content for several of these warnings do not address the specific dangers of smokeless tobacco. Even distribution and rotation of the six combined picture/text warnings is required in a 12-month period. The law and regulations do not state how frequently the Minister of Health must update the warnings and messages.
The law meets the FCTC Art. 11 minimum size requirement for health warnings in that the front warning must occupy at least 30% of the display area. However, to more fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require both the warnings on the front and back of the package to occupy at least 50% of the display area. In addition, the authorized warnings for smokeless tobacco products should address the specific dangers of smokeless tobacco. Finally, the law should require the Minister of Health to update the content of the health warnings every 12-36 months.
