Last updated: March 4, 2020
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Ministry of Public Health
The law authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to adopt guidelines on the regulation of contents and ingredients. However, the Ministry has not yet issued regulations regarding the prohibition or restriction of ingredients in tobacco products with the exception of a ban on ammonia in most tobacco products.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Ministry of Public Health
The law authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to “adopt guidelines on the analysis and measurement of the emissions of tobacco products and the regulation of those contents and emissions.” However, such regulations/guidelines have not been adopted; therefore, cigarette emissions are currently unregulated.
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 authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to regulate contents and ingredients; however, the regulations issued to date do not address the use of sugars and sweeteners. Therefore, the use of sugars and sweeteners 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 sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to regulate contents and ingredients; however, the regulations issued to date do not address the use of menthol, mint, or spearmint. Therefore, the use 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 authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to regulate contents and ingredients; however, the regulations issued to date do not address the use of spices and herbs. 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 authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to regulate contents and ingredients; however, the regulations issued to date do not address the use of other flavorings. Therefore, the use of other flavorings (not covered above) 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 other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law bans ammonia in cigarettes, cigars, tobacco and other products of similar use, prepared totally or in part by using tobacco leaves as raw material and designed to be smoked, inhaled, sucked, chewed or used as snuff.
The law furthers FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9 in that it regulates ingredients in cigarettes 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 authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to regulate contents and ingredients; however, the regulations issued to date do not address the use of ingredients that may create an impression of health benefits. Therefore, the use of such ingredients in cigarettes 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 authorizes the Ministry of Public Health to regulate contents and ingredients; however, the regulations issued to date do not address the use of ingredients associated with energy and vitality. Therefore, the use of such ingredients in cigarettes 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.
