Last updated: July 19, 2021

Key Terms

Tobacco Product

Term Defined
Definition

Tobacco products: any product that consists wholly or partially of tobacco leaves as a raw material, manufactured for the purpose of smoking, chewing, snuffing, or sucking (such as cigarettes, loose cigarette tobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco, moassel tobacco, water pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuffing tobacco).

Analysis

The definition of “tobacco products” in the Standard Specifications on tobacco product packaging aligns with the definition of “tobacco product” provided in FCTC Art. 1(f).

FCTC-Based Definition

Any product entirely or partly made of the leaf tobacco as a raw material which is manufactured to be used for smoking, sucking, chewing, or snuffing. (FCTC Art. 1(f))

Outside Packaging and Labeling

Term Defined
Definition

Package: any materials in which the product is directly packaged for sale as a separate unit when offered to the consumer; what is meant here is the individual package.

Analysis

Although the law does not contain specifically a definition for “outside packaging and labeling,” the definition of “package” does encompass any unit sold to the consumer. It accordingly aligns with the definition of “outside packaging and labeling” provided in FCTC Art. 11(4).

FCTC-Based Definition

Any packaging and labeling used in the retail sale of the product. (FCTC Art. 11(4))

Tobacco Products

Term Defined
Definition

Tobacco products: products wholly or partially consisting of tobacco leaves as a raw material, whether whole, course-cut or fine-cut and whether in their natural state, mixed with other materials or formed into any shape, any form of ground tobacco and any other composite material that includes tobacco as one of its constituents.

Analysis

The definition of “tobacco products” provided in the law and implementing regulations does not align with the definition provided in FCTC Art. 1(f) in that it does not state that the product is manufactured for smoking, sucking, chewing, or snuffing. The definition utilized in the Standard Specifications on tobacco product packaging, on the other hand, does align with the definition provided in FCTC Art. 1(f).

For greater clarity, the definition of “tobacco products” contained in the law should be the same as the definition contained in the Standard Specifications.

Data Label

Term Defined
Definition

Data label: any label, tag, mark, picture, or any other descriptive data written, printed, stamped, or affixed to the package.

Analysis

The definition of “data label” aids in the interpretation of the pack warning provisions.

Descriptive Data

Term Defined
Definition

Descriptive data: any writing, pictures, or graphics on the package’s information label.

Analysis

The definition of “descriptive data” aids in the interpretation of the pack warning provisions.

Main Display Area

Term Defined
Definition

Main display area: the front and back panels of the package. If this is not easily identifiable, the largest area is considered the front panel and the second largest area is considered the back panel.

Analysis

The definition of “main display area” aids in the interpretation of the pack warning provisions.

Tobacco

Term Defined
Definition

Tobacco: all types of tobacco plants, tobacco species and tobacco parts, including roots, stems, leaves, fruit and green or dried seeds.

Analysis

The definition of “tobacco” aids in the interpretation of the term “tobacco product.”

Tobacco

Term Defined
Definition

Tobacco: a mix of plants of the Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica species.

Analysis

The definition of “tobacco” aids in the interpretation of the term “tobacco product.”

Moassel Tobacco

Term Defined
Definition

Moassel tobacco: finely cut tobacco derived from a mix of plants of the Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica species and/or any mix of both to which is added sugarcane syrup (black honey) or back honey, molasses and glycerin.

Analysis

The definition of “moassel tobacco” aids in the interpretation of the term “tobacco product.”

Chewing Tobacco

Term Defined
Definition

Chewing tobacco: tobacco produced by cutting and folding the tobacco leaves into wide strips so that they are chewable. It can be mixed with spices, areca nut, betel leaves, or milk products.

Analysis

The definition of “chewing tobacco” aids in the interpretation of the term “tobacco product.”

Snuffing Tobacco

Term Defined
Definition

Snuffing tobacco: a tobacco powder with added sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or both that is used by snuffing it. It may also have edible salt, sesame oil, other oils, or edible aromatic extracts added.

Analysis

The definition of “snuffing tobacco” aids in the interpretation of the term “tobacco product.”