Last updated: January 30, 2023
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires some warning on all packs of tobacco products; however, the warnings on non-cigarette tobacco products fall far below the minimum requirements of FCTC Art. 11.
In order to meet the requirements of FCTC Art. 11, the law should require health warnings on unit packaging of all smoked and smokeless tobacco products.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires warnings on cartons of cigarettes, but not for other tobacco products.
To meet the requirements of FCTC Art. 11, the law should require warnings or messages on the outside packaging and labeling of all smoked and smokeless tobacco products.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires text warnings that are printed in the official language.
In this regard, the law meets the requirements of FCTC Art. 11.
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 warnings are placed in such a way so as to maintain the integrity of the writing upon opening the consumer packaging.
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 affirmatively require that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal the health warnings or messages, nor does it affirmatively state that the warnings must be clearly displayed.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law and/or implementing regulations should affirmatively require that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require the display of qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require that relevant qualitative statements be displayed on each packet or package about the emissions and constituents of the tobacco product.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not contain a prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields. To the contrary, the law requires that the emission yields be displayed on no less than 4% of the area of one side of the pack for the following: tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the display of quantitative statements about tobacco constituents and emissions, such as tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide figures, that might imply that one brand is less harmful than another.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required in Turkmenistan. 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 information on the consumer packaging: that misleads the consumers, including the use of descriptions, trademarks, other symbols which directly or indirectly create a false impression that the tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products; and that uses the words and phrases “with low tar content,” “light,” “ultra-light,” “mild” or other similar words and phrases.
In addition, the law prohibits the following claims on the consumer packaging for tobacco products: that consumption of this kind of cigarette lowers the risk of diseases related to the consumption of tobacco products; that this tobacco product is less dangerous for health than other tobacco products; and that the risk of disease related to the consumption of tobacco products is lowered due to the presence, absence or lowering of substances given off during consumption of the tobacco product, other than nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide.
The law meets the requirements of FCTC Art. 11 with respect to prohibiting misleading terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs, such as colors or brand images, that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
