Last updated: January 13, 2020

Health Warnings/Messages Features

Type of product: Smoked Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
Side(s)
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
1
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
Analysis

Currently, the law requires that tobacco product packages carry the following warning on one of their lateral sides: "Abuse is dangerous to your health." The text must be at least 2mm in height. The law does not contain a provision mandating a period within which the text must be updated. This warning has been in effect since 1999.

Under Law No. 2019-676, once fully in effect, combined picture and text health warnings will be required to cover at least 70% of the main front and back surfaces. The law includes that a regulatory enactment will provide the procedures for packaging and labeling and health warnings. As of the date of this review, the regulatory enactment has not been issued.

Once the health warnings required under Law No. 2019-676 are in effect, the law will meet the minimum requirements of FCTC Art. 11 in that the warnings occupy at least 30% of the two principal display areas of the package. However, to fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings to include a variety of messages to be displayed at any given time and rotate on a regular basis.

Type of product: Smokeless Tobacco Products
Type of Warnings / Messages Required
Text Warnings/Messages
Location and Size of Warnings / Messages on Unit Packaging
Side(s)
Rotation
Not Required
Number of Warnings / Messages Authorized to Be Displayed at Any Given Time
1
Length of Rotation Period
Unspecified
Analysis

Currently, the law requires that tobacco product packages carry the following warning on one of their lateral sides: "Abuse is dangerous to your health." The text must be at least 2mm in height. The law does not contain a provision mandating a period within which the text must be updated. This warning has been in effect since 1999.

Under Law No. 2019-676, once fully in effect, combined picture and text health warnings will be required to cover at least 70% of the main front and back surfaces. The law includes that a regulatory enactment will provide the procedures for packaging and labeling and health warnings. As of the date of this review, the regulatory enactment has not been issued.

Once the health warnings required under Law No. 2019-676 are in effect, the law will meet the minimum requirements of FCTC Art. 11 in that the warnings occupy at least 30% of the two principal display areas of the package. However, to fully align with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines, the law should require warnings to include a variety of messages to be displayed at any given time and rotate on a regular basis.