Last updated: January 25, 2022
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The 2019 Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Related to the Production Methods, Labeling and Surveillance of Tobacco Products requires combined health warnings be displayed on both unit and group packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this regard.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The 2019 Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Related to the Production Methods, Labeling and Surveillance of Tobacco Products requires combined health warnings be displayed on both unit and group packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this regard.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law does not specifically state that warning text must be in Turkish. However, by law, the warnings must be duplicated as provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The warnings approved by the Ministry are in Turkish.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warnings being 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 provides that warnings "can be divided on the condition of maintaining graphic integrity and visibility of writing, pictures and information on quitting when opened on hard packs that open from the top. The health warning cannot be divided when the packet is opened on other types of products."
The law therefore 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 provides that the warnings "shall not be partially or completely obscured by the tax label, stamp, seal, price symbols, safety features, [or] wrapping paper."
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 approved information message required to appear on 50% of one lateral side of smoked tobacco products describes constituents and emissions.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law prohibits any writing/information on packaging other than that which is approved by the 2019 Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Related to the Production Methods, Labeling and Surveillance of Tobacco Products. The Regulation does not approve the display of figures for emission yields; therefore, the display of such figures is prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to prohibiting figures for emission yields.
Plain or standardized packaging
As of January 5, 2020, plain packaging of 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 commercial name and brand. 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 further may not have sound or odor.
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)
The law states that “text, names, brands, phrases, similes, pictures, signs or colors and color combinations that promote consumption or mislead the consumer cannot be used” on tobacco product packaging. In addition, the law prohibits the brand and variant name from including any features that give a false impression about a product's properties, health effects, risks, or emissions or that mislead or deceive the consumer.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect by banning the use of terms, descriptors, or other signs that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
