Last updated: November 6, 2023
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires warnings on all unit packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning labels on unit packaging.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires warnings on all outside packaging.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning labels on outside packaging.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law require that information on the tobacco product package must be in the official national language and the Russian language.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to warning text appearing 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 labeling be applied in such a way that the continuity of the printed messaging is not destroyed when the retail product package is opened.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to warnings not being 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 expressly allows health warnings to be partially covered by a tax stamp.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require that warnings and messages may not be placed where they may be concealed by tax stamps or other required markings.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law does not require a qualitative display of constituents and emission messages.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require specify that the information on relevant constituents and emissions shall be descriptive only.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law does not prohibit the display of figures for emissions yields, but rather requires the display of information on tar and nicotine content on the cigarette package.
To align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should prohibit the display of figurative yields on tobacco product packaging as these figures can be misleading to consumers.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required. 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 the use on tobacco packaging of “any terms, descriptions, signs, symbols or other designations directly or indirectly giving the impression that a given product is less harmful than another tobacco product.” Beginning February 2024, the law will prohibit “information directly or indirectly misinforming the consumer with regard to the harm of a tobacco product, including such words as 'with a low tar content’, 'mild’, 'very mild’, 'soft’, 'extra’, 'ultra’, 'thin’, or words analogous to such words, analogs of such words in foreign languages, as well as analogs of such words translated from foreign languages.”
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to 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.
