Last updated: May 31, 2019
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and warning messages are not required. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require warnings on unit and outside packaging and labeling.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and warning messages are not required. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require warnings on unit and outside packaging and labeling.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and warning messages are not required. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require warnings on unit and outside packaging and labeling and require that these warnings appear in the principal language(s) 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
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and warning messages are not required. To align with best practices, as reflected in FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings on unit and outside packaging and labeling and require that those warnings or messages not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and warning messages are not required. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings on unit and outside packaging and labeling and require that tax stamps or other required markings not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and warning messages are not required. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings on unit and outside packaging including qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and there is no prohibition on the display of figures for emissions yields. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings on unit and outside packaging and should prohibit the display of figures for emission yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and plain packaging is not required. 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)
Tobacco product packaging and labeling is not regulated and there is no prohibition on misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling. The Consumer Protection Act requires a supplier or trader to provide consumers with true information on goods. While this provision could be used to prohibit misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling, there are no regulations currently that implement the law in this way. To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should prohibit misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling.
