Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
70% of Front, 70% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
2
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
- 24 months
Analysis
As of June 2019, the law requires pictorial health warnings to appear on all unit and outside packaging and labeling of tobacco products. A general warning, in English and French, must occupy 70% of the front of the package. The general warning must state in French: "Fumer tue" or "Le Tabac tue" and in English: "Smoking Kills" or "Tobacco Kills". One of three specific warnings must occupy 70% of the back of the package. Both the general warning and the specific warning contain text and an image. The warnings must be outlined by a 1mm wide black border outside the 70% area reserved for the warning.
Rotation is required. A total of three specific warnings were issued in conjunction with Joint Order No. 0001/2018, and these are to be used sequentially for a period of 24 months each. The first warning - "Smoking Causes Lung Cancer" - is to appear on the back of packages for 24 months, followed by the second warning - "Smoking Causes Rotten Teeth" - for 24 months, etc.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the size, content, and rotation of the health warnings.
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
70% of Front, 70% of Back
Rotation
Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
2
Length of Rotation Period
Specified
- 24 months
Analysis
As of June 2019, the law requires pictorial health warnings to appear on all unit and outside packaging and labeling of tobacco products. A general warning, in English and French, must occupy 70% of the front of the package. The general warning must state in French: "Fumer tue" or "Le Tabac tue" and in English: "Smoking Kills" or "Tobacco Kills". One of three specific warnings must occupy 70% of the back of the package. Both the general warning and the specific warning contain text and an image. The warnings must be outlined by a 1mm wide black border outside the 70% area reserved for the warning.
Rotation is required. A total of three specific warnings were issued in conjunction with Joint Order No. 0001/2018, and these are to be used sequentially for a period of 24 months each. The first warning - "Smoking Causes Lung Cancer" - is to appear on the back of packages for 24 months, followed by the second warning - "Smoking Causes Rotten Teeth" - for 24 months, etc.
The law does not contain warnings specific to the dangers of smokeless tobacco. Rather, the warnings are specific to the dangers of smoked tobacco.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to the size and rotation of the health warnings. However, to fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require placement of warnings specific to the dangers of smokeless tobacco on smokeless tobacco products.
