Last updated: September 29, 2020
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Ministry of Health
The Tobacco Products Control Act authorizes the regulation of contents. Specifically, the Minister has the authority to issue regulations specifying “the amounts of substances that may be contained in the product,” “substances that may or may not be added to the product,” and “product design and composition.” However, the Minister has not yet issued regulations on the contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Ministry of Health
The Tobacco Products Control Act authorizes the regulation of emissions. The Tobacco Products Control Regulations permit a maximum tar yield of 12 mg/cigarette and a maximum nicotine yield of 1.2 mg/cigarette.
Sugars and sweeteners (other than those added to replace sugars lost during the curing process)
Examples of sugars and sweeteners include: glucose, molasses, honey and sorbitol.
The law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes.
Other flavorings (not covered above)
Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.
The law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that facilitate nicotine uptake is allowed.
To further FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9, the law or regulations should regulate ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake, such as ammonia.
Ingredients which may create an impression of health benefits
Examples include: vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, fruit and vegetables (and products resulting from their processing such as fruit juices), amino acids, such as cysteine and tryptophan, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
The law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits.
Ingredients associated with energy and vitality
Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.
The law authorizes the issuance of regulations of contents and ingredients; however, such regulations have not yet been issued. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
