Last updated: December 9, 2023
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires that health warnings be displayed on each pack and carton.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires that health warnings be displayed on each pack and carton.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to warning requirements on outside packaging and labeling.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires that labelling information on a tobacco product to be sold in Trinidad and Tobago be printed in English.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to warning text 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 the health warning messages are “permanently affixed” to the pack, and prohibits any design of the product package that would allow the package itself or accessories to cover or obscure the messages. In addition, the health warnings must be positioned in such a way that they will not be damaged when the pack is opened.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with regard to the requirement that 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 law prohibits any product, device, or other item that is intended to or can be used to cover, obscure, mask, alter, or otherwise detract from the prescribed messages on tobacco product packages. This prohibition includes design of the product package in such a way that parts of the package itself or accessories can cover or obscure the messages. However, this provision does not appear to apply to required markings such as tax stamps. Therefore, the regulatory status code “No” is given.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should affirmatively require that tax stamps and other required markings not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires the following declaration to be printed on each pack and carton (generally on the side panel) of tobacco products: “Smoke from this product contains extremely addictive nicotine and toxic substance such as tar and carbon monoxide. No safe level of consumption exists for this product.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the display of qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not explicitly prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should affirmatively prohibit the display of figures for emission yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Trinidad and Tobago.
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 law prohibits any tobacco product package or label from containing any information that is false, misleading, deceptive, or is likely or intended, directly or indirectly, to create an erroneous impression about the characteristics, health effects or other hazards of the tobacco product or its emissions. This prohibition specifically includes the use of terms such as “light,” “ultra light,” “mild,” “low tar,” and “slim,” as well as graphics associated with such terms.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with regard to the prohibition on misleading tobacco product packaging and labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, or figurative or other signs.
