Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
32% of Front, 45% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
13
Length of Rotation Period
Uncertain
Analysis
The law currently requires text warnings on the front and back sides of tobacco packs. The front side of the pack must have one of two text warnings covering 32% of the surface area. The back side must have one of 11 additional text warnings covering 45% of the surface area. The warnings are required to rotate, but no instructions are given as to the timing of the rotations.
Thirty-six months following the implementation of the 2013 tobacco control law (May 2016), new graphic warnings will be required on all tobacco packs. The actual content of the pictures is still uncertain. The size, location, and rotation requirements will remain the same.
The current law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to size, location, and rotation of the health warnings. To more fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require health warnings to include a graphic and to cover at least 50% of both the front and the back of all tobacco product packaging.
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
32% of Front, 45% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
13
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
Analysis
The law currently requires text warnings on the front and back sides of tobacco packs. The front side of the pack must have one of two text warnings covering 32% of the surface area. The back side must have one of 11 additional text warnings covering 45% of the surface area. The warnings are required to rotate, but no instructions are given as to the timing of the rotations. Most of the text warnings are specific to smoking and smoked tobacco products and would not apply to smokeless products; however, no instructions are provided on which warnings should be placed on smokeless products.
Thirty-six months following the implementation of the 2013 tobacco control law (May 2016), new graphic warnings will be required on all tobacco packs. The actual content of the pictures is still uncertain. The size, location, and rotation requirements will remain the same.
The current law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to size and rotation of the health warnings. To more fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require health warnings to include a graphic and to cover at least 50% of both the front and the back of all tobacco product packaging. In addition, the content of the health warnings for smokeless tobacco products should address the specific dangers of smokeless tobacco.
