Last updated: August 20, 2020
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
Warnings are required on all tobacco product packaging.
This meets the FCTC Art. 11 requirements.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
Warnings are required on all tobacco product packaging, which includes outside packaging such as cartons.
This meets the FCTC Art. 11 requirements.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
Warning texts must be in the official languages.
This meets the FCTC Art. 11 requirements.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The printed text warnings must be indelible and printed so they cannot be removed without damaging the text, and must not in any way be hidden with other printing on the packaging unit or removed or damaged during the opening of the package.
This aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The printing of the text of warnings is not allowed in the tax banner of the package.
This aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require that tobacco products display qualitative constituents and emissions messages. Rather, the law appears to require quantitative constituents and emissions yield figures, which are misleading to consumers.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit any quantitative constituents and emissions yield figures, and affirmatively require qualitative constituent and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not affirmatively require that tobacco products display qualitative constituents and emissions messages. Rather, the law requires quantitative constituents and emissions yield figures, which are misleading. The law prohibits misleading terms or other signs on packaging, specifically including emissions information. However, this provision seems to conflict with the requirement that emissions information be printed on the packaging. Therefore, the regulatory status code "Uncertain" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should clearly prohibit any quantitative constituents and emissions yield figures, and affirmatively require qualitative constituent and emissions messages.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Kosovo. 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)
The law prohibits the design or appearance of tobacco product packaging from containing inadequate or manipulative data, and prohibits packaging that creates a wrong impression regarding the characteristics of the product, impacts to health, risks, or emission of tobacco products. This includes any term, descriptor, sign, figure, color, or any other sign that directly or indirectly causes the impression that a certain tobacco product is less harmful than others. This includes terms that may confuse consumers like “soft,” “light,” “extra light,” or “ultra.”
The law meets the requirements of FCTC Art. 11 with regard to misleading descriptors.
