Last updated: May 23, 2022
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires health warnings to be displayed on all tobacco product packaging manufactured or imported in the Philippine market.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires health warnings to be displayed on all tobacco product packaging manufactured or imported in the Philippine market.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning requirements on outside packaging and labeling.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
Warning texts must appear in Filipino and English.
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 requires that no part of the warning may be obliterated, obscured, folded, severed or become unreadable when the tobacco package is opened or closed or when a wrapper on the package is removed.
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 prohibits anything from being printed or applied on a location of the packaging that will obscure or cover the health warnings.
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
Qualitative constituents and emission messages are required to be displayed on 30% of the side panel of tobacco product packaging. However, in the fourth round of warnings, one message containing quitline information has been prescribed. (Previous rounds included side panel messages with descriptive information about constituents and emissions.)
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in that qualitative constituents and emissions information is required.
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 emission yields on packaging.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the display of figures for emission yields on packaging and labeling that might imply that one brand is less harmful than another (e.g., figures for tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide).
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in the Philippines. 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 numbers and terms in any language on any packaging and labeling that claim or mislead a consumer to believe that a tobacco product or brand variant is healthier, safer or less harmful than another. Terms include "low tar", "light", "ultra-light", "mild", "extra", "ultra", and similar terms.
To meet FCTC Art. 11, the law should prohibit all misleading indicia on tobacco packaging and labeling.
