Last updated: July 21, 2021
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Minister of Health
The law prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products, which include a tobacco product that is represented as being flavored and contains a flavoring agent, but does not include menthol or tobacco.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
The law does not regulate, nor does it grant any authority to regulate, cigarette emissions.
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 prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products, which include a tobacco product that is represented as being flavored and contains a flavoring agent, but does not include menthol or tobacco. Therefore, the use of sugars and sweeteners to produce a flavored tobacco product is banned.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products, which include a tobacco product that is represented as being flavored and contains a flavoring agent, but does not include menthol or tobacco. Therefore, the use of menthol in cigarettes is allowed. Presumably, however, because the law does not make an exception for mint or spearmint, the use of these additives would be prohibited. Therefore, the regulatory status code “Some Restrictions” is given.
To more fully 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 in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The law prohibits flavored tobacco products, which are defined as a product which is represented as being flavored and contains a flavoring agent. Any spices and herbs which are added and then used to represent the product as flavored will therefore be banned.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates 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 prohibits flavored tobacco products, which are defined as a product which is represented as being flavored and contains a flavoring agent, but does not include menthol or tobacco. Any other flavorings which are added and then used to represent the product as flavored will therefore be banned.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
Although the law regulates flavored tobacco products, the law does not address ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake. Therefore, the use of such ingredients in cigarettes is allowed.
To further FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9, the law or regulations should regulate ingredients 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.
Although the law regulates flavored tobacco products, the law does not address 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.
Although the law regulates flavored tobacco products, the law does not address 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.
