Last updated: August 26, 2024
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires that "a unit pack and any container pack" carry a health warning.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to unit packaging.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires that "a unit pack and any container pack" carry a health warning.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to outside packaging.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires that health warnings be in English.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings being in the principal language of the country.
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 a "health warning must remain intact when the pack is opened." In the case of a flip-top lid, a combined health warning may be split when the pack is open but only in a manner that retains the integrity and visibility of the warning.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to warnings not being 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 requires that a health warning not "be partially or totally hidden or interrupted by any other item (such as a tax stamp, price mark or security feature)."
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 all smoked tobacco products to carry the following qualitative information message on constituents: "Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer."
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to qualitative constituent and emissions disclosures.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The Standardised Packaging Regulations prohibit including on tobacco product packaging "any information about the nicotine, tar or carbon monoxide content of a tobacco product."
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the prohibition of the display of figures for emission yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
As of May 20, 2017, plain packaging of all cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco is required.
Cigarette packaging must be in a standard shape and color (i.e., Pantone 448C). Only prescribed information may appear on product packaging, including brand name and variant. The law further provides for the appearance of this information, requiring such items as standardized font, font sizes, and colors. Roll-your-own tobacco packaging is standardized as well. Packaging may not have inserts, onserts, make a noise, contain a scent, or have any features designed to change the packaging after retail sale.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to plain packaging.
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 on tobacco product packaging any element or feature that "promotes a tobacco product or encourages its consumption by creating an erroneous impression about its characteristics, health effects, risks or emissions" or "suggests that a particular tobacco product is less harmful than others."
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to prohibiting misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling.
