Analysis
SFDA.FD 60:2018 requires smoked tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, hand rolling tobacco, and tobacco molasses (waterpipe tobacco)) to display authorized combined health warnings. Health warnings are comprised of an image, text, and cessation message. The warning must occupy no less than 65% of the front and back of the package, and appear in Arabic or English. The warning must be surrounded by a 1mm black frame.
SFDA.FD 60:2018 requires the warnings to be rotated according to the following sequence: those approved by the National Tobacco Control Committee, followed by those approved by the GCC Tobacco Control Committee. In Announcement No. 42504, the Saudi Food & Drug Authority and the National Tobacco Control Committee issued three combined health warnings, with the warnings to be rotated equally over a 12-month period.
In addition to the health warnings on the principal display areas, a scientific fact/information message must cover 50% of one side panel. A health message/general health warning must cover 50% of the other side panel.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with regard to size, content, location, and rotation.
