Last updated: July 26, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
Health warnings are required on all unit packaging of all tobacco products. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 requirements in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
Health warnings are required on all outside packaging of all tobacco products. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 requirements in this respect.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The text of the health warnings is required to be in English. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 requirements in this respect.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The law requires that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The law requires that tax stamps or other required markings not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires descriptive only information on constituents and emissions on all tobacco product packaging. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
Quantitative information on emissions is prohibited from being displayed on tobacco product packaging. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products 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)
The law prohibits any misleading and or promotional features of tobacco product packaging or labeling on tobacco products, including the use of any “terms, descriptors, trademark, figurative, color or other sign” that is “false, misleading, deceptive or likely to create an erroneous impression” about the products characteristics, health effects, hazard or emissions, or create the false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful to another on all tobacco product packaging. This includes terms such as “light” or “mild,” among others. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
