Last updated: October 20, 2020
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The Anti-Smoking Law and Regulations require a health warning on all tobacco product packages intended for sale or consumption. This is interpreted as requiring warnings on all unit packaging and labeling. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The Anti-Smoking Law and Regulations require a health warning on all tobacco product packages intended for sale or consumption. Because "package" is not defined in the law or regulations, it is unclear whether this refers to outside packaging and labeling, or just unit packaging. Therefore, the regulatory status "Uncertain" is given.
To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should require warnings/messages on all outside packaging and labeling as well as unit packaging and labeling.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The Anti-Smoking Regulations require the health warning to be in Arabic, the principal language of Palestine. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 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 does not require that warnings or messages not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require that 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
The law does not require that tax stamps or other required markings not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require that markings not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require the display of qualitative constituents and emissions messages. To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require the display of qualitative constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields. To the contrary, the law requires that nicotine and tar yields be displayed on tobacco product packages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields.
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 notice ability 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 Anti-Smoking Regulations, Art. 6(4), prohibit on tobacco packaging "logos that promote smoking, such as low tar, light or very light". Article 8(3) further bans promotion through the use of "forms or colours, or to use names, trademarks or logos that promote smoking or mislead the public (such as low tar, light or very light tobacco)". Together, these are interpreted as prohibiting all misleading terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs on tobacco product packaging. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
