Last updated: June 27, 2023
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Syrian Arab Standardization Authority (in collaboration with Ministries of Health, Industry and Local Government)
The law provides that the Syrian Arab Standardization Authority, in collaboration with Ministries of Health, Industry and Local Government, as well as other concerned bodies, shall set up standard specifications for all tobacco products, production requirements, and testing methods, no matter whether they are national or imported. At least one specification has been issued regulating the contents and design of cigarettes.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Syrian Arab Standardization Authority (in collaboration with Ministries of Health, Industry and Local Government)
The law provides that the Syrian Arab Standardization Authority, in collaboration with Ministries of Health, Industry and Local Government, as well as other concerned bodies, shall set up standard specifications for all tobacco products, production requirements, and testing methods, no matter whether they are national or imported.
Under SNS 2656/2006, the maximum emissions levels are as follows:
- 1 mg nicotine per cigarette
- 10 mg tar per cigarette
- 10.5 mg carbon monoxide per foreign imported cigarette/10 mg carbon monoxide per domestic cigarette.
Sugars and sweeteners (other than those added to replace sugars lost during the curing process)
Examples of sugars and sweeteners include: glucose, molasses, honey and sorbitol.
The law permits sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes as long as they do not exceed 7% of the tobacco by weight.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it restricts the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law does not regulate the use of menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes. Therefore, the use of menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The law does not regulate the use of spices and herbs in cigarettes. Therefore, the use of spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit or restrict the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes.
Other flavorings (not covered above)
Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.
The law permits in cigarettes flavorings such as fruit extracts, wine, and alcohol as long as they do not exceed 2% of the tobacco by weight..
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it restricts the use of ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law does not regulate the use of ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake in cigarettes. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that facilitate nicotine uptake is allowed.
To further FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9, the law or regulations should regulate ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake, such as ammonia.
Ingredients which may create an impression of health benefits
Examples include: vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, fruit and vegetables (and products resulting from their processing such as fruit juices), amino acids, such as cysteine and tryptophan, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
The law does not regulate the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law or regulations should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits.
Ingredients associated with energy and vitality
Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.
The law does not regulate the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality. Therefore, the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality is allowed.
To align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines, the law should prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
