Last updated: June 30, 2020
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires that “each pack of tobacco products and labeling of such products must display in indelible characters, health warnings in the form of text and color images describing the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.”
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to unit packaging and labeling.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires that “each carton of tobacco products and all forms of external packaging and labeling of such products must display in indelible characters, health warnings in the form of text and color images describing the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.”
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to outside packaging and labeling.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires tobacco product packages to display health warnings as prescribed by an enforcement decree. The administrative order containing the content of the warnings includes messages in French, the principal language.
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 messages and health warnings may not be obscured veiled or separated by other statements or images, or by the opening of the pack or carton.
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 messages and health warnings may not be obscured veiled or separated by other statements or images, or by the opening of the pack or carton.
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 that information that describes the harmfulness of tobacco products concerning their components and emissions must appear on one of the lateral surfaces. However, the list of this information has not yet been issued by the Minister of Health. Moreover, the technical guidelines issued as part of Administrative Order No. 18415 depict the two lateral sides of packaging as covered by an additional text-only health warning and quitline information. Therefore, although the law appears to require constituents and emissions information, the regulatory status "Uncertain" is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the Ministry of Health should issue a lateral information message that describes constituents and emissions.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law “prohibits for manufacturers to print information concerning the ingredients and emissions of the tobacco on the different kinds of packaging and labeling of tobacco products.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in prohibiting the display of figures for emission yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Senegal. 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 law requires that “Any packaging or labeling of tobacco products that contributes to the promotion of a particular product by any means likely to give an erroneous impression regarding the characteristics, effects on health, risk or emissions of the product, including descriptive terms, trademarks, figurative signs or others that directly or indirectly give the erroneous impression that one tobacco product is less harmful than others is prohibited.
Packaging and labeling must not under any circumstances contain terms such as “low tar content”, “light”, “ultra-light”, or “mild”, in any language at all.”
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in prohibiting misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
