Last updated: January 14, 2021
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law does not differentiate between unit packaging and outside packaging, but provides a definition of “package” that includes “any pack, carton, wrapping or other container in which tobacco products are customarily sold at retail.” Therefore, warnings are required on all unit packaging. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this regard.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law does not differentiate between unit packaging and outside packaging, but provides a definition of “package” that includes “any pack, carton, wrapping or other container in which tobacco products are customarily sold at retail.” Therefore, warnings are required on all outside packaging. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this regard.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
Text warnings must appear in both in English and in Solomon Islands Pidgin. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this regard.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
Warnings must be displayed on the principal display surface in a manner that ensures that none of the words of the warning or graphics will be severed when the package is open. In addition, warnings must not be obscured by a flap, lid, or other part of the package and shall be printed so as not to be easily removable without significant destruction of the package.
In addition, if any health warning, explanatory message, message on constituents, or corresponding graphic health warning to be printed on a package is likely to be obscured or obliterated by a wrapper on the package, the message or graphic shall be printed on both the wrapper and the package.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 guidelines in this regard.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The law does not specify that tax stamps or other required markings not be placed over warnings, but it does require that warnings must be “large, clear, visible and legible” and “clear, legible and conspicuous”. Therefore, it is uncertain whether this is a current requirement.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should explicitly state that tax stamps and other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
Every package sold or offered for sale in Solomon Islands shall display information on toxic constituents. The information must be printed on one side of the packaging in black font on a rectangular yellow background.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this regard.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not specifically prohibit emissions figures to be displayed on tobacco products. Although the regulations on misleading descriptors prohibit the use of misleading terms and statements that would cause a consumer to believe a tobacco product is less harmful than it really is, the regulations do not specifically prohibit the use of figurative yields.
In order to align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should explicitly prohibit the display of figures for emission yields on packaging.
Plain or standardized packaging
The law restricts the use of company logos and brand names, which may appear only once on the front principal display area of the package. However, plain packaging of tobacco products is not required. 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 Tobacco Control Regulations specify that no package or label can contain any information or term that is misleading, including the following terms, whether or not part of the brand name: "light"; "lite"; "ultra light"; "mild"; "low tar"; "low nicotine"; and “similar words or descriptors which may misleadingly promote the product to the public as to the level of tobacco content or toxic constituents in the product.” In addition, graphics associated with or likely or intended to be associated with such words or descriptors are prohibited on packaging. The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this regard.
