Last updated: January 14, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires that any tobacco product must clearly and conspicuously display health warnings.
Therefore, the law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning requirements.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The regulations require that health warnings be displayed on the external packaging.
Therefore, the law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to requiring health warnings on the outside of packages.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The regulations establish the text of the warnings that are required to appear on tobacco product packaging. All warnings are written in English, which is one of the principal languages of Singapore.
The law meets the FCTC Art. 11 requirement that warning text appear 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 regulations require that warnings be printed in a manner that ensures that no portion of the warning is obliterated or obscured when the package is opened or closed in a normal manner.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to requiring that the warnings or messages may 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 regulations do not specifically state that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages. Instead, the regulations provide that if a warning is likely to be obscured or obliterated by an outer wrapper or “other item,” the warning must be printed on such wrapper or other item attached to the retail package.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the law requiring that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings and messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The regulations require that the following health information message be printed on every cigarette retail package: “Smoking exposes you and those around you to more than 4,000 toxic chemicals, of which at least 60 can cause cancer. The chemicals include tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia and benzene.” The message must not be printed on the same side of the package as a health warning, and must occupy at least 50% of the area of the side on which it is printed.
The regulations align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the requirement to display qualitative constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
Although the regulations require a qualitative health information message be printed on all cigarette retail packaging, there is no affirmative prohibition on the display of figures for emissions yields.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should expressly prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
As of July 1, 2020, plain packaging of all tobacco products is required.
Cigarette packaging must be a standard shape, material, texture, 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, colors, and placement. Other tobacco product packaging is standardized as well. Packaging may not have sound, odor, or any feature that may be activated or modified in such a way that the packaging no longer is in compliance with the regulations.
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)
Pursuant to 2010 amendments to the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, the law prohibits the use of packaging or labeling that promotes any tobacco product by any means that are “false, misleading, deceptive or likely to create an erroneous impression about the characteristics, health effects, hazards or emissions of the tobacco product.” Specifically, the law prohibits the use of any “term, descriptor or trade mark, or any figurative or other sign, that directly or indirectly creates the false impression that a particular tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.” In addition, the Minister of Health has the power to issue regulations prescribing other such terms that are prohibited on tobacco product packaging and labeling. Regulations were issued pursuant to this authority and prohibit the use of the following terms: “light”; “lights”; “low tar”; “low-tar”; “mild”; and “ultra-light.”
Together, the law and regulations meet FCTC Art. 11 with respect to a prohibition on misleading packaging and labeling.
